Suspended SNL writer apologises for Barron Trump joke
Katie Rich apologies after tweeting an "insensitive" joke about President Donald Trump's 10-year-old son.
Tuesday 24 January 2017 10:29, UK
A Saturday Night Live writer has apologised following her suspension for tweeting a widely criticised joke about Donald Trump's youngest son Barron.
Katie Rich mocked the 10-year-old on Twitter during the President's inauguration, saying: "Barron will be this country's first homeschool shooter."
But the 33-year-old suffered a strong backlash on Twitter - including from the former first daughter Chelsea Clinton, who tweeted: "Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does-to be a kid".
Rich was immediately suspended from her job at SNL over the tweet. She deleted the post and deactivated her account.
Rich has since reactivated her account to issue a public apology.
"I sincerely apologize for the insensitive tweet," she wrote on Monday.
"I deeply regret my actions & offensive words. It was inexcusable & I'm so sorry."
Despite her apology, an online petition calling for Rich to be fired gathered more than 100,000 signatures on Monday.
It comes after Alec Baldwin vowed to continue his SNL parody of the President after the inauguration.
Before the ceremony, Mr Trump had described the popular NBC show as "not funny, cast is terrible, always a complete hit job. Really bad television!".
Mr Trump has not yet commented on Rich's tweet or her suspension.