Anchors Apologize After One Claimed Diddy ‘Smoked a Blunt and Drank a 40’

Two San Francisco Bay Area reporters have apologized for making and laughing at racially charged remarks about Sean “Diddy” Combs. Henry Wofford, a sportscaster for KRON4, dismissed the rapper’s interest in buying the Carolina Panthers. He also claimed Diddy appeared “drunk and high” in the video announcement. His colleague, Darya Folsom, laughed at the remarks.

“How can you take Diddy seriously?” said Wofford, who called into the segment, “The World According to Darya” Monday, Dec. 18. “The guy looks high right there in this video. He looks like he smoked a blunt and drank a 40. Come on, I’m not taking him seriously.”

“The problem is, I checked, Diddy is only worth $800 million and the Panthers are valued at $1 billion,” Folsom says.

“You gotta stay in your comfort zone,” Wofford added later. “If you know music, go and do your music thing.”

“What does Diddy even do?” asks Folsom.

“Diddy’s drinking and smoking right now, I told you,” Wofford responds as Folsom tilts her head back in laughter. “You can tell by looking at this video. The man was in another world.”

Many people bashed Folsom for her hearty giggling.

And when folks discovered it was Wofford who called in with the stereotypical remarks, they slammed him, too.

https://twitter.com/I_AM_GHOD/status/942919304571482112

Wofford posted a tweet saying the comment was taken out of context.

diddy anchor apology

His account is also deactivated and on Tuesday, Dec. 19, he made an on-air apology.


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“I have no one to blame but myself,” he says. “I want to offer a sincere apology to everyone I offended during our morning newscast yesterday. 
 Although it was said in an attempt to be funny, I realize insinuating a person may be drunk or on drugs is nothing to joke about. For that, I sincerely apologize to Mr. Combs, his fans and everyone who was offended. Dozens of Diddy’s twitter followers have accused me of playing on racial stereotypes. Please realize that was not my goal. But I understand my comments had that impact and for that, I sincerely apologize.”

Wofford added that his comment was not meant to diminish all of Diddy’s accomplishments as a media mogul. The MC is worth $820 million according to Forbes and has huge investments in Aquahydrate water and DeLeon tequila, as well as a stake in Revolt TV.

Folsom has also issued a brief apology.

“I am sorry for entertaining his comments and sorry for my response and how I handled the conversation,” she said in a statement on KRON4’s website. “Those who have watched me on KRON4 for the past 19 years know that my response was not reflective of my personal views, integrity or character nor typical of my professionalism. To those who found my comments or reaction offensive, I hear you and I am sorry for my handling of the topic, my comments and the impression I made.”

But folks aren’t satisfied with the anchors’ apologies.

https://twitter.com/Ayypoop/status/943173674378567680

https://twitter.com/meangirl1/status/943148210935103489

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