Bette Midler responds to backlash following xenophobic tweets mocking Melania Trump's accent

Iconic entertainer caused outrage when she called the US first lady an 'illegal alien' on Twitter

Bette Midler has apologised for mocking US first lady Melania Trump’s accent on social media.

The award-winning singer sparked fury across the political spectrum when she tweeted that Melania “still can’t speak English”, calling her an “illegal alien”.

Midler has since responded to the outrage and apologised for her remarks on Twitter.

In a post shared with her 1.9 million followers, Midler wrote, “Well, all hell has broken loose because I said Melania ‘still can’t speak English’ last night. I was wrong to make fun of her accent.”

She added, “America is made up [of] people who speak with all kinds of accents, and they are all welcomed always.”

The 74-year-old entertainer took aim at the first lady in a series of tweets posted when Melania delivered a speech on the second night of the Republican National Convention (25 August).

Among other jabs, she tweeted, “Oh, God. She still can’t speak English.”

“#beBest is back! A UGE bore! She can speak several words in a few languages. Get that illegal alien off the stage!”

Her comments were met with backlash from people across the political spectrum, with many describing them as “xenophobic”.

One commenter wrote: “This is beyond gross @BetteMidler and I am no fan of the First Lady. You have become what you think you are ‘resisting’.” Someone else said: “Shame on you. Attacking an immigrant for speaking with an accent is truly immoral.”

Melania Trump moved to the US legally in 1996, becoming a citizen in 2006, one year after marrying Donald Trump.

Her Rose Garden speech saw her express support for her husband’s re-election in the forthcoming presidential race.