Less than 24 hours after New York magazine’s The Cut published a 2016 video of Chris Matthews making a cringe-worthy Bill Cosby joke about Hillary Clinton, the Hardball host has issued a formal apology.
“This was a terrible comment I made in poor taste during the height of the Bill Cosby headlines,” Matthews told Noreen Malone of The Cut. “I realize that’s no excuse. I deeply regret it and I’m sorry.”
The clip features a hot microphone picking up Matthews’ comments prior to his interview with Clinton.
“Can I have some of the queen’s waters…precious waters?” Matthews is seen asking about drinking water provided for Clinton. “Where’s that Bill Cosby pill I brought with me?” Matthews is then seen laughing to himself. You can view the video above.
Matthews was likely referencing the over 60 women who accused Cosby of drugging and/or sexually assaulting them dating back to Andrea Constand’s initial accusation in 2005.
In December of 2017, MSNBC confirmed Matthews also made inappropriate remarks to one of the female assistants on Hardball after the unnamed employee notified executives of Matthews’ comments in 1999.
According to an MSNBC spokesperson, that incident resulted in Matthews receiving a formal reprimand, while the employee was given separation-related payment.
Clinton appeared on a January, 2016 episode of Hardball. You can read the full report—which also chronicles Matthews’ history of calling Clinton “witchy” and questioning if Clinton can’t admit perceived mistakes because she’s a woman—via The Cut.
