"The Daily Show" sparks outrage over Texas abortion tweet
Maybe some jokes shouldn't be shared.
At least that's the lesson the folks at "The Daily Show" seem to be learning after a tweet -- making light of the Supreme Court's ruling against Texas' strict abortion clinic regulations -- drew criticism.
"Celebrate the #SCOTUS ruling! Go knock someone up in Texas!" wrote the show's official Twitter account.
Celebrate the #SCOTUS ruling! Go knock someone up in Texas!
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) June 27, 2016
Reactions to the tweet came quickly, with the satirical news program's message drawing criticism from the left and the right.
.@TheDailyShow This tweet is so vile.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) June 27, 2016
@TheDailyShow I'm all for offending someone for the sake of real humor. This? It's like the O'Douls of bad taste.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) June 27, 2016
@TheDailyShow get a conscience.
— Jackie Paige (@JPaigeWWJ) June 27, 2016
@TheDailyShow so not funny. Very glad Scotus ruled as they did, but this tweet is irresponsible
— Julia London (@JuliaFLondon) June 27, 2016
@TheDailyShow There's parody and then there's this.
— Chuck Raasch (@craasch) June 27, 2016
To the "Daily Show" producers' credit, they didn't delete the offending message once the response became clear. Instead, the account sent out a clarifying tweet:
"Friends, we're certainly not promoting abortions. Just excited about #SCOTUS reaffirming right to choose," the post read.
Friends, we're certainly not promoting abortions. Just excited about #SCOTUS reaffirming right to choose.
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) June 27, 2016
Judging by the replies, though, that update did little to quiet critics.