White House says ESPN should fire presenter who called Donald Trump a 'white supremacist'

Jemele Hill's tweet 'one of the more outrageous comments that anyone could make', insists Sarah Huckabee Sanders

The White House has appeared to call for the sacking of a sports television presenter after she called Donald Trump a “white supremacist”.

Jemele Hill, presenter of ESPN’s flagship programme SportsCenter, tweeted that “Donald Trump is a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists”.

In another tweet, she said: “Trump is the most ignorant, offensive president of my lifetime. His rise is a direct result of white supremacy. Period.”

She has since spoken of her “regret” that “my comments and the public way I made them painted ESPN in an unfair light”.

And the network, assailed by conservative critics, said: “Jemele has a right to her personal opinions, but not to publicly share them on a platform that implies that she was in any way speaking on behalf of ESPN.

“She has acknowledged that her tweets crossed that line and has apologised for doing so. We accept her apology.”

But Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, did not appear to accept their contrition.

She said: “That is one of the more outrageous comments that anyone could make and certainly something that is a fireable offense by ESPN.”

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) said it backed the presenter.

It said: “Jemele Hill is an award-winning, veteran journalist who has distinguished herself for having insightful opinions and perspectives on a variety of topics.

“Having been successful along those lines for 20 years, she has been able to connect with viewers on ESPN as well as on various social media platforms.

“NABJ supports Hill’s First Amendment rights on all matters of discussion, within and outside the world of sports, as they do not impinge on her duties as a host and commentator.”

Actor Gabrielle Union also spoke out in support of Ms Hill and said she “couldn’t be more proud of my friend”.

Charlamagne tha God, a radio and television presenter, tweeted: “How you more offended by @jemelehill’s tweets than you are Trump’s rhetoric that caused the tweets?”

And political commentator Ana Navarro said: "WH spox using podium to tell @espn to fire @jemelehill is kind of media manipulation seen in dictatorships. ESPN cannot cower under pressure".

Ms Sanders’ statement was not the first time the Trump administration had intervened in the realm of broadcasting.

The President has made a habit of using Twitter to promote clips and upcoming programmes of which he approves. They have been mostly from Fox News, and particularly the Fox and Friends show.