What was the exact wording of Roseanne Barr's racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett?
This fact-check may be outdated. Consider refreshing it to get the most current information.
Was this fact-check helpful?
1. Summary of the results
Based on the analyses provided, Roseanne Barr's racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett contained specific wording that multiple sources have documented. The exact phrasing appears to have been that Valerie Jarrett was "the offspring of the Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes" or variations stating she would be the result "if the Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby" [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].
The tweet combined two deeply problematic elements: a racist comparison likening Jarrett to an ape - a historically derogatory trope used against Black Americans - and an Islamophobic reference to the Muslim Brotherhood, despite Jarrett not being Muslim [2] [5]. This inflammatory post was published on Twitter and immediately sparked widespread online backlash [2].
The consequences were swift and severe. ABC canceled Barr's rebooted sitcom "Roseanne" following the tweet, effectively ending what had been a successful return to television [1] [5]. Barr subsequently apologized for what she called her "abhorrent, repugnant" post [5], though she later made additional controversial statements about the incident, including blaming the sleep aid Ambien for her behavior [3].
Valerie Jarrett herself responded to the incident by calling for it to be turned into "a teaching moment for all" rather than simply focusing on punishment [1]. This response demonstrated a measured approach to addressing the racist attack against her.
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Several important contextual elements emerge from the analyses that provide a fuller picture of this incident. Roseanne Barr later expressed regret about her word choice, stating in interviews that she "wished she worded it better" [6], though this suggests she may have been more concerned with the phrasing than the underlying sentiment.
The incident occurred during a period when Barr's show had been successfully rebooted, making the cancellation particularly significant for the entertainment industry. The analyses reveal that Barr felt she had been "erased from history" following the show's cancellation [7], indicating her perspective on the consequences she faced.
Additionally, Barr later criticized what she perceived as a "double standard" in how different public figures are treated for controversial statements [4]. This suggests she believed her treatment was disproportionate compared to other celebrities who made offensive remarks.
The broader context shows this incident became part of larger conversations about racism in entertainment, corporate responsibility, and the consequences of social media posts by public figures. The swift corporate response by ABC set a precedent for how networks might handle similar situations involving their talent.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question itself appears to be a straightforward factual inquiry seeking the exact wording of the tweet, without apparent bias or misinformation. However, there are several considerations regarding how this information might be presented or interpreted.
The question's focus on obtaining the "exact wording" could potentially be problematic if the intent is to republish or amplify the racist content rather than understand it for educational or analytical purposes. The analyses show that multiple reputable news sources have reported on this incident [2] [5] [1] [3] [4], suggesting it is a matter of legitimate public interest and historical record.
Some sources appear to provide slightly different phrasings of the tweet, with variations between "offspring of" versus "had a baby" constructions [1] [4], though the core racist and Islamophobic elements remain consistent across all reports. This minor variation in reporting could reflect different sources' editorial choices about how to present offensive content.
The incident represents a clear case where multiple mainstream media outlets across the political spectrum reported similar facts, suggesting broad consensus about what occurred. The consistency across sources from different perspectives [2] [5] [1] [4] strengthens the reliability of the reported information about the tweet's content and consequences.