Geraldo Rivera Apology 'Politically Incorrect,' Bashed by Trayvon Martin Supporters
Geraldo Rivera apologized for his controversial comments last week across several media outlets regarding Trayvon Martin and his choice of a hoodie the fateful night he was shot by George Zimmerman. The reporter and conservative commentator called his statements "politically incorrect."
"I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin's death as George Zimmerman," said the journalist on Fox News last week. Rivera pointed to Martin's attire as the reason Zimmerman, the local neighborhood watch leader, considered the 17-year-old "suspicious."
After a petition was filed demanding Rivera be disciplined or fired following the comments, Rivera yielded up yet another apology, this time via his Twitter account.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Heard petition demands my apology to Trayvon's parents," tweeted Geraldo. "Save effort: I deeply apologize for any hurt I caused-that is not my goal or intent."
The apology, though timely, seemed to address the "hurt" he may have caused, not the statement itself. The tweet was construed as a halfhearted apology by many, who said so in their replies.
"It's so said that you will say the most idiotic things in order to stay relevant…..even sadder that you think you ever were!" wrote one user dismissively.
"I don't understand why this man a vigilante is getting so much support," wrote nighthawkings of Rivera's comments. "Now the authorities are [demonizing] a dead child why?"
The reason Rivera's comments were ill-received could have been because of his insistence at his point. He mentioned his theory about Martin's apparel on Fox News and his Twitter account, prompting many lawmakers, celebrities, and activists to wear hoodies in Martin's defense.
"Justice will come to Zimmerman the Fla. shooter-but I'm trying to save lives like Trayvon's-Parents Alert: hoodies can get your kid killed," Rivera tweeted after his first initial controversial posting.
The entire Miami Heat team, including Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, posted hooded pictures on their Twitter accounts in response. Other prominent voices who donned the hoodie were Clay Aiken, Sean "Diddy" Combs, former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, radio host Bill Press, and Senators Kevin Parker, Bill Perkins, Lester G. Jackson and Eric Adams.
Later, Rivera admitted that his immensely unpopular views were shared by surprisingly few people, including his own son, whom he said was "ashamed" of his behavior.
"My own son just wrote to say he's ashamed of my position re hoodies," tweeted the commentator, alluding to his stance that parents should encourage their kids not to wear the popular garment. "Still feel parents must do whatever they can to keep their kids safe."
"A hoodie or any clothing item is in NO WAY to blame for a man's hatred of a race of people," wrote S2S user Bernetta Reese.
