Twitter has turned on Stephen Colbert.
The #CancelColbert hashtag swept across Twitter on Thursday night and into Friday morning in reaction to a segment in which the Comedy Central host used Asian stereotypes to skewer Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder.
[seealso slug=http://sale-online.click/2013/08/07/facebook-promoted-trends/%5D%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EColbert took Snyder to task for refusing to change the team's name while creating a foundation to help Native Americans, satirizing the situation with his own insensitive charity.
A similar joke was sent from the show's Twitter account, which has since been deleted.
The now deleted tweet. RT @suey_park: @StephenAtHome and @ColbertReport deleted tweet. #CancelColbert pic.twitter.com/R4kO6jCq3p”
— Christopher Carbone (@christocarbone) March 28, 2014
The @ColbertReport tweet was what seemed to set people off using #CancelColbert. Sentiment appeared mixed, with many users decrying the use of the Asian stereotypes and other defending Colbert's satirical slant.
#CancelColbert began trending around 8 p.m. ET on Thursday after Suey Park, an activist and writer, sent a series of tweets.
The Ching-Chong Ding-Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals has decided to call for #CancelColbert. Trend it.
— Suey Park (@suey_park) March 27, 2014
The hashtag has been at or near the top of Twitter's trends since Thursday night. The fervor grew strong enough to generate a response from the show's Twitter account, clarifying that the tweet had not come from Colbert himself.
For the record @ColbertReport is not controlled by Stephen Colbert or his show. He is @StephenAtHome Sorry for the confusion #CancelColbert
— The Colbert Report (@ColbertReport) March 28, 2014
Colbert, never one to shy away from controversy, joined in with #CancelColbert on his personal Twitter account.
#CancelColbert - I agree! Just saw @ColbertReport tweet. I share your rage. Who is that, though? I'm @StephenAtHome http://t.co/e0Pqz7U7i9
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) March 28, 2014