Former NFL running back Herschel Walker characterized a recent CNN segment about Kanye West’s support of Donald Trump as “despicable” and said he wondered why anchor Don Lemon and commentators Bakari Sellers and Tara Setmayer aren’t taken “off the air.”
A segment of “CNN Tonight” received sharp criticism Tuesday for remarks about the rapper’s support of the president that critics say are racist.
In the segment, Mr. Sellers said, “Kanye West is what happens when Negroes don’t read,” and Ms. Setmayer calling West “the token Negro” of the administration.
Mr. Lemon laughed throughout the comments. Mr. Sellers, Ms. Setmayer and Mr. Lemon are all black.
After the swift first round of criticism, Mr. Walker added his thoughts Thursday on Twitter:
Went to bed appalled over @donlemon despicable behavior laughing at @TaraSetmayer and @Bakari_Sellers awful remarks about Kanye West’s visit with @realDonaldTrump!! Woke up wondering why @CNN doesn’t take all three off the air?#SHAMEFUL #CNN https://t.co/MwGWIfh8so
— Herschel Walker (@HerschelWalker) October 11, 2018
SEE ALSO: Bakari Sellers, Tara Setmayer mock Kanye West on CNN over Donald Trump support
Mr. Walker began his professional football career with the USFL’s New Jersey Generals, which Mr. Trump owned. He was named co-chair of Mr. Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition earlier this year, and he supported Republican Jack Kingston in a 2014 U.S. Senate race in his home state of Georgia.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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