White House press secretary Josh Earnest on Tuesday defended Hillary Clinton and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who made a racist joke during a comedy skit over the weekend.
“I can’t speak to any misguided attempts at humor,” Earnest, who has not seen video of the controversial comedy skit, told reporters during a daily press briefing. “I can only speak to their commitment that they’ve shown over the course of their career to justice and civil rights.”
Clinton and de Blasio, who has endorsed the former first lady, came under fire for a comedy skit they performed during a charity event held at the New York Hilton on Saturday.
The skit included lines about “CP time,” a reference to “colored people’s time” — the stereotype that black people are chronically late for events. (RELATED: Hillary Clinton And Bill De Blasio Invoke Black Stereotypes In Comedy Skit)
“I just have to say thanks for the endorsement, Bill. Took you long enough,” Clinton said after being introduced to the stage by de Blasio.
“Sorry, Hillary, I was running on CP Time,” de Blasio said, eliciting groans from the audience.
“Cautious politician time…,” Clinton joked.
The Internet erupted in outrage over the remarks. Clinton and her campaign have not answered for the comments. De Blasio dismissed complaints during an interview on Monday, saying that the skit was a joke and that critics are “missing the point.”
In defending the skit, Earnest said that Clinton’s and de Blasio’s actions over the course of their career speak louder than their scripted words.
“Certainly Mayor de Blasio and Secretary Clinton have over the course of their career demonstrated a genuine commitment to the pursuit of equality and justice and civil rights,” Earnest said.
“That’s not just a talking point that they include on their campaign materials. That is something to which they have dedicated their careers in public service.”