Who knows why, but for whatever reason, Fox News host Bill O’Reilly was moved to defend the concept of slavery after First Lady Michelle Obama mentioned, during her Democratic National Convention speech, that she currently resides in a house built by slaves. On The O’Reilly Factor the other night, he pointed out non-sequitously (and erroneously) that those human pieces of property Obama paid homage to were “well-fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government.”
While appearing on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show during last night’s convention coverage, SNL Weekend Update host Michael Che made short work of tearing O’Reilly’s weird justifications into festive comic ribbons. Responding to the implication that the slaves were “hired,” he said, “You don’t hire slaves, Bill. That goes against the very definition of slave,” Che said incredulously. “You slave a slave, you don’t hire a slave. What would that job interview even be? ‘Hey, we’re looking for somebody long-term. Where do you see yourself in 400 years?’”
Che isn’t the only person who’s been having some fun at the expense of Bill O’Reilly’s bloviations. Jokes about the comments are all over Twitter:
Even Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams, traveled hundreds of years through U.S. history to provide us with devastating takedown of the Fox host’s hot take. “The effects of Slavery are visible every where; and I have amused myself from day to day in looking at the labour of 12 negroes from my window,” the second First Lady recalls of the White House’s construction. “[I]t is true Republicanism that drive the Slaves half fed, and destitute of cloathing … to labour, whilst the owner waches about Idle…”
Ms. Adams can apparently be added to the list of critics whom O’Reilly considers “beneath contempt.”