ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after racist tweets

By Veronica Rocha, Meg Wagner and Brian Ries, CNN

Updated 9:28 p.m. ET, May 29, 2018
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2:11 p.m. ET, May 29, 2018

Trump praised Roseanne Barr's ratings at a March rally

Trump speaks to a crowd gathered in Richfield, Ohio, on March 29.
Trump speaks to a crowd gathered in Richfield, Ohio, on March 29. Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

President Trump, speaking at a March rally in Ohio, mentioned "Roseanne" and it's ratings.

 “Look at Roseanne — look at her ratings," Trump told the crowd in Richfield on March 29.

Trump said he first took a phone call earlier that day from the producer of his "Apprentice" series Mark Burnett, who asked whether he'd seen Roseanne's ratings.

"They were unbelievable," Trump said. "Over 18 million people. And it was about us."

Trump said the mainstream media hadn't yet "figured it out yet."

2:02 p.m. ET, May 29, 2018

Here's what Roseanne tweeted

From CNN's Frank Pallotta and Brian Stelter

Barr is notorious for tweeting about pro-Trump conspiracy theories and other controversial topics. This week she repeatedly attacked prominent Democrats. 

In one of the tweets, she wrote, "Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj."

Barr was responding to a comment about Valerie Jarrett, a top former aide to President Obama. She later deleted the tweet and tweeted an apology to Jarrett and "all Americans."

Barr also made comments on Twitter about Chelsea Clinton, tweeting this yesterday:

Soros is a billionaire liberal benefactor who has been the subject to many right-wing conspiracy theories over the years.

Clinton responded to Barr shortly after. 

"Good morning Roseanne - my given middle name is Victoria. I imagine George Soros's nephews are lovely people. I'm just not married to one," she wrote. 

Barr responded back to Clinton saying, "Sorry to have tweeted incorrect info about you! Please forgive me!"

She then continued, "By the way, George Soros is a nazi who turned in his fellow Jews 2 be murdered in German concentration camps & stole their wealth-were you aware of that? But, we all make mistakes, right Chelsea?"

1:55 p.m. ET, May 29, 2018

ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after star's racist tweets

ABC canceled its hit sitcom "Roseanne" on Tuesday after the show's biggest star, Roseanne Barr, went on a racist Twitter rant.

"Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show," ABC said. The cancellation comes just months after the show premiered to huge ratings.

Barr had earlier apologized and said she was "now leaving Twitter."

1:58 p.m. ET, May 29, 2018

Here's how the show's cast reacted to the rant

From CNN's Brian Stelter and Frank Pallotta

Following Barr's Twitter rant, one of the show's consulting producers, Wanda Sykes, said she's done with the show.

And Sara Gilbert, who plays Barr's daughter on the ABC sitcom, tweeted that Barr's comments are "abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show."

Gilbert added:

"This is incredibly sad and difficult for all of us, as we've created a show that we believe in, are proud of, and that audiences love — one that is separate and apart from the opinions and words of one cast member."
1:57 p.m. ET, May 29, 2018

How ABC handled Roseanne's tweets in the past

From CNN's Brian Stelter

ABC executives have privately said that they hold their noses when Barr tweets. They know some of her posts have been problematic -- full of pro-Trump conspiracy theories that mislead her fans.

The executives want Barr to focus on her show. But they seem to take the position that there's no controlling Barr, and that's what makes her the successful comic she is.

ABC employees shared these views on condition of anonymity earlier this year, before the current Twitter controversy.