As we previously reported, ESPN distanced itself from its anchor Jemele Hill’s tweets, after she called President Donald Trump a white supremacist. After the backlash grew, some called for the sports journalist’s termination, and the White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the same thing.
“I’m not sure he’s aware, but I think that’s one of the more outrageous comments that anyone could make and certainly something that I think is a fireable offense by ESPN,” said Huckabee after a reporter asked if the president knew of Hill’s tweets.
Meanwhile, after unsigned quarterback Colin Kaepernick tweeted a supportive message to Hill, others took to Twitter to weigh in.
“Jemele Hill told the truth,” one person wrote. “Protect her at all costs.”
“The Jemele Hill situation was never a freedom of speech vs. workplace norms issue,” wrote another. “It’s freedom of the press to call it like they see it.”
Related ‘race in sports’ stories:
ESPN’s Jemele Hill Tweets Example of Racist, Sexist Hate Mail She Receives
Colin Kaepernick’s Frat and Players Protest on 1st NFL Sunday
Jason Whitlock Has Twitter Rolling Its Collective Eyes Over Colin Kaepernick Stunt
Afterwards, a third person specified why he agrees with Hill. “Trump said there are good Nazis, kicks transgendered individuals out of the military and disrespects Muslims,” wrote Twitter user Tony Posnanski. “Where was Jemele Hill wrong?”
On the other side of the debate, some called ESPN hypocritical for not letting the popular TV host go.
“If a white person said something like Jemele Hill said about Obama, you would fire them,” one person tweeted. “Why is she still working with ESPN.”
Then on Wednesday (Sept. 13), the National Association of Black Journalists issued a statement and said they fully support Hill and she did nothing wrong.
“The NABJ supports Hill’s First Amendment rights on all matters of discussion, within and outside the world of sports, as they do not impinge on her duties as a host and commentator,” the statement read.
So far, Hill hasn’t addressed the firestorm. Plus, some might find it surprising that President Trump hasn’t responded to her on Twitter, since he often tries to defend himself on the social media platform.
You can see some of the Twitter debate on all of this below.
White House targeting Jemele Hill is a direct violation of her 1st Amendment constitutional rights. Also a violation of her human rights.
— Tia Oso (@Tia_Oso) September 13, 2017
It took the White House 3 business days to speak on Charlottesville…
but took 3 Grand Theft Auto days to clap back at Jemele Hill??? pic.twitter.com/IhmUqdMwoA
— Bus, the Art Guy. (@BillionBus) September 13, 2017
Trump wouldn’t condemn NAZIS calling for the annihilation of Jews and Black people, but wants Jemele Hill fired? 🤔
cc: @PressSec
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 13, 2017
Trump said there are good Nazis, kicks transgendered individuals out of the military, and disrespects Muslims.
Where was Jemele Hill wrong?
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) September 13, 2017
All Jemele Hill did was tell the truth.
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) September 13, 2017
If ESPN fires Jemele Hill for telling the truth about #Trump. We should launch a boycott of espn, they won’t soon recover from!#espnboycott https://t.co/eDjgiDMpe1
— Adelino Camara (@ADIC33) September 13, 2017
Jemele Hill told the truth. Protect her at all costs.
— Olivia A. Cole (@RantingOwl) September 13, 2017
