Univision host and presenter Rodner Figueroa was fired on Thursday for racist remarks he made on air about First Lady Michelle Obama.
While filming Wednesday's episode of El Gordo y la Flaca, a Spanish entertainment news program, Figueroa likened the First Lady to a character from Planet of the Apes.
The comments were made while discussing Paolo Ballesteros, a Filipino actor who famously uses makeup and wigs to style himself like famous celebrities. Figueroa was commenting on a photo of Ballesteros styled in the likeness of Michelle Obama.
In a statement to Mashable, a Univision Communications spokesperson confirmed Figueroa's termination and said that his remarks "were completely reprehensible and in no way reflect Univision’s values or views."
Figueroa penned an open apology letter to Obama, asserting he was fired after the White House lodged a complaint with Univision. The White House declined to comment.
In a statement to CNN Money, a network executive denied that the White House issued a complaint.
Additional reporting by the Associated Press