Rosie O’Donnell has issued an apology to Melania Trump after retweeting a controversial video that suggested her son with president-elect Donald Trump, Barron, was autistic.
On Thursday, O’Donnell tweeted a public apology to the future first lady. “I apologize to @MELANIATRUMP – i was insensitive in my RT – I am sorry for the pain I caused – it was not my intent – I am truly sorry.”
In a blog post O’Donnell shared on her website following the controversial video tweet, she explained 10-year-old Barron appeared to display several behaviours consistent with autism.
The reason she is acquainted with such things is because her three-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed with high-functioning autism (HFA). She claimed in the post she’s become “immersed in that world/reality since learning – reading – asking questions… it’s all autism – all the time for the newly diagnosed.”
As for why she retweeted that video, she explained: “When I saw the anti-bullying video that mentioned Barron it spoke to the symptoms many ASD kids have. It was educational and informational.”
Melania has not publicly commented on O’Donnell’s apology.
READ MORE: Rosie O’Donnell under fire after asking if Donald Trump’s son, Barron, s Autistic
As for the YouTuber who originally posted the video, he’s since removed the clip, and, like O’Donnell, issued an apology to the Trumps. This after Melania threatened to sue him for libel.
She hired lawyer Charles Harder whose letter to the user claimed the family would sue if he didn’t take it down. The letter also made mention of O’Donnell’s tweet, however, it did not directly threaten the television star, according to TMZ.
“This law firm represents First Lady-elect Melania Trump and her 10-year-old son, Barron Trump,” reads the attorney’s letter. “A video was posted on YouTube recently speculating that Barron might be autistic. He is not.”
Added Harder: “The video includes the hashtag ‘StopTheBullying’ but yet the video itself is bullying by making false statements and speculation about a 10-year-old boy for the purpose of harassing him and his parents. The online bullying of children, including Barron Trump, should end now.”
The incident was another in the long-running feud between O’Donnell and Donald. Over the years, they’ve done everything from call each other names to attack each other on Twitter.
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