Tom Brokaw ‘Truly Sorry’ for Saying ‘Hispanics Should Work Harder at Assimilation’

NBC News' Tom Brokaw made headlines over the weekend thanks to a series of offensive comments he made on Sunday's 'Meet the Press.'

January 28, 2019

NBC News' Tom Brokaw made headlines over the weekend thanks to a series of offensive comments he made on Sunday's Meet the Press. During the show, he suggested "Hispanics should work harder at assimilation," among other sketchy remarks. In a series of tweets, he's apologized for his comments, beginning with, “I feel terrible a part of my comments on Hispanics offended some members of that proud culture." He went on to say things like "I never intended to disparage any segment of our rich, diverse society which defines who we are" and "I am sorry I failed to convey my strong belief that diversity-dynamic and inclusive is what makes America."

Brokaw was heavily criticized for racist comments, with Maria Cardona appearing on CNN's Newsroom the same day to say she's a fan of 78-year-old Brokaw but "he's a little out of touch."

Among Brokaw's other remarks: "Also, I hear, when I push people a little harder, ‘Well, I don’t know whether I want brown grandbabies.' I mean, that’s also a part of it. It’s the intermarriage that is going on and the cultures that are conflicting with each other.”

Left-wing media personalities didn't let his comments pass, while a number of right-wing personalities decided to jump to Brokaw's defense.

Brokaw initially continued, "I also happen to believe that the Hispanics should work harder at assimilation. That’s one of the things I’ve been saying for a long time. You know, they ought not to be just codified in their communities but make sure that all their kids are learning to speak English, and that they feel comfortable in the communities. And that’s going to take outreach on both sides, frankly."