Former ESPN and MSNBC contributor Keith Olbermann has issued a public apology to conservative commentator Scott Jennings following controversy over a pair of deleted social media posts. The posts, which included the phrase ‘You’re next motherf—er,’ were screenshotted by Town, columnist Dustin Grage and shared online, prompting FBI Director Kash Patel to be tagged in the discussion.
Olbermann’s apology, posted on Tuesday, clarified that he intended the comments as a critique of political speech rather than a genuine threat. He stated, ‘I oppose and condemn political violence, and the threat of it. All times are the wrong time to leave even an inadvertent impression of it — but this time is especially wrong.’ The incident occurs amid ongoing backlash for Olbermann’s recent remarks about Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer who was assassinated earlier in the year.
Olbermann’s original posts were screenshotted by Grage, showing Olbermann writing, ‘You’re next motherf—er,’ and ‘But keep mugging for the camera,’ at Jennings nearly two weeks after Charlie Kirk was assassinated at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University. Jennings later shared screenshots of Olbermann’s posts, tagging FBI Director Kash Patel. This act of tagging a high-profile official raised concerns about the potential for online discourse to intersect with law enforcement, highlighting the broader tensions around free speech and cyber harassment.
Olbermann’s apology post came Tuesday, suggesting his message was ‘misinterpreted.’ He wrote, ‘I apologize without reservation to [Scott Jennings]. Yesterday I wrote and immediately deleted 2 responses to him about Kimmel because they could be misinterpreted as a threat to anything besides his career. I immediately replaced them with ones specifying what I actually meant,’ expressing regret over the initial misinterpretation. His apology underscores the increasing scrutiny surrounding public figures’ online conduct in light of recent high-profile incidents and the role of social media in shaping political discourse.
The incident follows recent backlash over his controversial posts about Charlie Kirk and Jimmy Kimmel. Olbermann had faced intense criticism for his remarks about Kirk, particularly after it was announced that several TV affiliates, including those owned by Sinclair, would preempt Kimmel’s show. Olbermann’s reaction was to write, ‘Burn in hell, Sinclair,’ alongside Charlie Kirk, a statement that further fueled controversy. He maintained that nothing Kimmel said in his comments about Kirk was untrue.
Kimmel’s comments came one day after both FBI officials and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed that the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson, held a ‘leftist ideology’ and was increasingly radicalized in recent years. It was also revealed that Robinson had a romantic relationship with a transgender partner who was biologically male and transitioning to female. These details added layers to the complex narrative surrounding the assassination, complicating discussions on political ideologies and their potential links to acts of violence.
Despite the controversy, Olbermann has continued to engage with political and media issues, often using platforms like social media to voice his opinions. His apology to Scott Jennings reflects a broader trend of public figures navigating the delicate balance between free speech and accountability for their words, especially in an environment where online content can quickly escalate into legal and ethical dilemmas.