MTV Writer Ira Madison III Mocks Jeff Sessions' Asian Granddaughter, Claims She's Just 'Prop' https://t.co/CjyCsE5sLr pic.twitter.com/FRSW9s2zY2
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) January 10, 2017
Tuesday's Senate confirmation hearing for Sen. Jeff Sessions as attorney general began with his Asian-American granddaughter sitting calmly on his lap as he waited to testify.
However, one journalist used the scene to focus on past accusations of Sessions being a racist.
MTV culture writer Ira Madison III tweeted that Sessions should "kindly return this Asian baby to the Toys 'R' Us you stole her from."
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Madison argued that the child was being used as a prop so that Sessions would send a message that he was not racist.
Though he removed the original tweet, he released a series of tweets clarifying his stance.
The girl on Sessions' lap is not adopted, it's his granddaughter. Which is not surprising.
— Ira Madison III (@ira) January 10, 2017
There is no reason for that child to be in his lap in a hearing other than to send an "I'm not racist message"
— Ira Madison III (@ira) January 10, 2017
In fact, Americans have long used Asian-Americans as "model minorities" since the rise of the civil rights act https://t.co/IwFwt4vXpX
— Ira Madison III (@ira) January 10, 2017
I often tell jokes, but seeing as bringing up Sessions' history of racial hatred of Asians is seen as an attack on his grandchild, I deleted
— Ira Madison III (@ira) January 10, 2017
Sad that many don't see Sessions' legitimate history of racism as a cause for concern today, but he can deeply affect our country
— Ira Madison III (@ira) January 10, 2017
Madison received plenty of backlash on social media following the initial tweet.
I ask my 500,000 followers to join with all people of good conscience to boycott @MTV and its sponsors until #racist Ira Madison is fired.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) January 10, 2017
Demand an apology and @MTV firing of Ira Madison III for his disgusting/racist comment about @SenatorSessions child. pic.twitter.com/UyByaO2Y4s
— Schraz8 (@Schraz8) January 10, 2017
@MTV Ira Madison is a racist & should be terminated immediately
— Jeff (@jeffrey_shm) January 10, 2017
Ira Madison III is a special kind of moron who tries to backtrack with piss poor excuses.
— Supreme Neanderthal (@SupremeNeander) January 10, 2017
@ira let me show you how easy it is to call someone racist. Ira Madison is Racist.
— Jonny Boy (@playfullwpg1) January 10, 2017
In response to the tweet, an MTV representative said, "The opinions Ira expresses on Twitter are his own and do not reflect the views of MTV News."
Share your thoughts with us on Madison's tweet in the comments section.
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