After letting the Internet fret over it for a couple of days, Wheel of Fortune game show host Pat Sajak now says that his “unpatriotic racists” tweet was just a parody. The tweet was directed at those concerned about climate change and global warming.
As previously reported, on Monday, Sajak wrote, “I now believe global warming alarmists are unpatriotic racists knowingly misleading for their own ends. Good night.” After that tweet, he sent a nasty response to one critic, telling the Twitter use, “Only so much you can do within Twitter parameters.”
At first, Sajak seemed to enjoy getting the Internet angry. “Sometimes it's fun to poke a stick in a hornets' nest just to hear the buzzing,” he wrote.
But on Wednesday night, Sajak appeared to be back track and must have realized the controversy he started. Now, he wants people to know that he was trying to make fun of climate change skeptics, not those who agree that it is happening.
“As most of you know, original Tweet was intended to parody the name-calling directed at climate skeptics. Hyperbole,” he wrote.
As most of you know, original Tweet was intended to parody the name-calling directed at climate skeptics. Hyperbole.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) May 21, 2014
Later, he thanked any fan who supported him. “Thanks for all the nice tweets. Too many to answer, but appreciated. Leaving now for meeting of Flat Earth Society,” he added.
Thanks for all the nice tweets. Too many to answer, but appreciated. Leaving now for meeting of Flat Earth Society.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) May 22, 2014
In other words, Sajak is really hoping that Wheel of Fortune fans won’t stop tuning in.