Meghan McCain apologizes for past use of phrase ‘China virus’

“The View” co-host Meghan McCain apologized on Monday after video of her past reference to COVID-19 as the “China virus” resurfaced on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight,” hosted by comedian John Oliver.

In a tweet, McCain condemned recent physical attacks and hate speech incidents targeting Asian Americans, while adding that she wanted to “apologize for any past comments that aided that agenda.”

On Oliver’s show Sunday, the comedian referenced a panel discussion on “The View” last year during which McCain suggested that concerns over what nicknames people such as President Trump gave COVID-19 were overblown, and were “a great way to get Trump reelected.”

Prominent Asian Americans have argued that the labeling of COVID-19 as the “China virus” or other racist terms such as the “Kung flu” have contributed significantly to a rise in violence targeting their communities.

McCain’s apology comes after six Asian women died in an attack last week on three Atlanta-area massage parlors by a white suspect who told police that his attacks were sparked by sexual frustration.

A rash of other anti-Asian attacks have taken place around the country in recent weeks. An elderly woman was recently assaulted in San Francisco, Calif., and other attacks targeting older Asian Americans have taken place in several cities. A Buddhist temple primarily serving the Asian American community in Los Angeles was also set on fire and vandalized.

Tags Anti-Asian attack Anti-Asian bias Anti-Asian violence Coronavirus coronavirus pandemic Donald Trump John Oliver Meghan McCain The View

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Regular the hill posts

Main Area Top ↴
Main Area Bottom ↴

Most Popular

Load more