MSNBC host Thomas Roberts apologized Wednesday on “Way Too Early” for a segment the program aired Monday that made mocking references to Cinco de Mayo.
Roberts had explained the history of the Mexican holiday while his sombrero-clad producer, Louis Burgdorf, shook maracas and waved around a bottle of tequila.
MSNBC issued a statement Tuesday that apologized for the “ill-advised” segment after the president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Hugo Balta, slammed the network’s insensitivity.
“On Monday, ‘Way Too Early’ made sarcastic comments about the way some Americans celebrate the holiday,” Roberts said on air Wednesday. “And it was not our intention to be disrespectful and we sincerely apologize for those references.”
“After 20 years in this business, anyone who knows me knows where I stand on diversity and inclusion,” he added. “So to those I let down or feel betrayed, I hear you, and I’m sorry.”
Burgdorf also acknowledged that he offended viewers and apologized.
Watch below, courtesy of MSNBC:
This post has been updated.
