Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang is now backpedaling after defending Joe Rogan by claiming the podcast host is not a racist because he works with black people.
In a now-deleted tweet from Sunday, Yang said, “I don’t think Joe Rogan is a racist — the man interacts with and works with black people literally all of the time.”
“Do I know black friends of Joe’s who would swear by him? Yes I do,” Yang, who appeared on Rogan’s podcast in 2019 continued.
Yang’s comments came after widespread criticism of Rogan for his covid-19 misinformation and use of the N-word on his Spotify podcast. In a five-minute video posted to Instagram Saturday, Rogan apologized for using the slur calling it “the most regretful and shameful thing that I’ve ever had to talk about publicly.”
Following outrage and heavy criticism, Yang deleted his original tweets and walked back his support for Rogan saying, “I like to believe the best of people – especially if I’ve met and spent time with that person. Sometimes it makes me miss something. I think we should have the capacity to forgive people – whether a podcaster or a mayor – if they mess up. Maybe it’s because I mess up too.”
“Racism is real, deep, corrosive and even lethal. I know that. I made a mistake in an earlier tweet tonight that downplayed these realities,” he continued.
“I deleted the tweet because it was wrong-headed. It also hurt people, which is never my intent. I’m sorry. I’m learning and appreciate those who reached out to express their feelings.”
