MSNBC guest prompts backlash after saying ‘many people’ consider Meghan Markle ‘five clicks up from trailer trash’

An MSNBC guest is getting heat online after saying during a segment on the network that “many people” consider Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle to be “five clicks up from trailer trash.”

According to BuzzFeed News, the moment came during journalist Victoria Mather’s appearance on “MSNBC Live” on Saturday morning.

She had been sharing her position on Markle and Prince Harry’s recent visit to England, months after the two announced they would be stepping back from some of their duties as members of the royal family.

“I think what has really, really upset the British public is that Meghan Markle, who many people consider as only, you know, five clicks up from trailer trash, has actually tried to disrespect the queen,” she said at one point during the appearance. 

“And the queen is the most respected person, most respected woman in the world,” she continued.

The remarks prompted viral backslash on social media from a number of users, including some who felt Mather’s remarks served as evidence the couple made the right choice in stepping down from their roles in the family and others who called on her to be fired.

WHUT?! Megan Markle is “ five steps up from Trailor trash“? This guest should never be brought on again. #EVER https://t.co/wFPwJSDSPg

— Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) March 7, 2020

@MSNBC Thank you for having on Victoria Mather MSNBC London office this morning. Interview was COMPLETE validation Meghan and Harry made the right choice to leave Royal Family. Ms. Mather needs to retire because she is terminally sick with vitriol. Her comments were evil.

— cathgk (@cathgeorge909) March 7, 2020

@LindseyReiser @MSNBC

You owe your audience and Meghan Markle a sincere apology for even allowing Victoria Mather on your show to offer her racist tirade.@VanityFair … she needs to be fired.

— The Mean Progressive ™ (@MeanProgress) March 7, 2020

@MSNBC What did I just hear? Racist #VictoriaMather just said Meghan Markle was five clicks up from trailer trash. @VanityFair is this who you want representing your brand?! Fire her now! #MeghanAndHarry pic.twitter.com/K1Vwuds6Hk

— s.m.gaines (@sm_gaines) March 7, 2020

According to BuzzFeed News, Mather identifies herself as a travel editor for Vanity Fair in her Twitter bio, but she actually works at a digital news site called Air Mail, which was founded by Graydon Carter, who previously served as chief editor at Vanity Fair. 

She was reportedly misidentified as a Vanity Fair “royals watcher” during her appearance on MSNBC as well.

Her critical marks targeting Markle come several months after Harry blamed the media for the couple’s decision to step back from their prominent roles within the royal family.

In his remarks at the time, Harry had described the media as “powerful force,” adding, “My hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful, because this is so much bigger than just us.”