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Bette Midler issues groveling apology for calling West Virginians 'poor and illiterate'

'As someone who identifies as a WV this is beyond offensive,' a Twitter user wrote

Bette Midler did not hold back when it comes to criticizing Joe Manchin, West Virginia's Democratic senator who has created quite a bit of stir lately in the Democratic Party by refusing to back President Joe Biden's Build Back Better Act, which would expand the country's social safety net.

"What #JoeManchin, who represents a population smaller than Brooklyn, has done to the rest of America, who wants to move forward, not backward, like his state, is horrible. He sold us out. He wants us all to be just like his state, West Virginia. Poor, illiterate and strung out," the 76-year-old performer wrote on Twitter. After realizing that in going after Manchin, she had actually ended up insulting an entire state, the "Hocus Pocus" star issued an apology.

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"I apologize to the good people of WVA for my last outburst," she wrote online. "I’m just seeing red; #JoeManchin and his whole family are a criminal enterprise. Is he really the best WV has to offer its own citizens? Surely there’s someone there who has the state’s interests at heart, not his own!"

'This is beyond offensive'

Even after she apologized, Midler was met with an array of backlash. However, there were a few people who supported her, saying that she had based her comment on facts. "She apologized but she doesn't mean it," one of them said while another wrote, "Strung out? Guess she hasn't visited Philly, L.A., or San Francisco lately." A third quipped, "As someone who identifies as a WV this is beyond offensive." One more quipped, "Funny to see how these celebrities give opinions about what’s good for the general public, while living in luxurious mansions with fences and private security." The next remarked, "She is essentially correct. Look it up. So, she is not supposed to say what is factual? Leave Bette alone. She is telling the truth." Another commented, "At least she apologized. Have you heard an apology from Trump?" One of them added, "So, call out a comedian....when their own Senator said the same thing...except he isn't making a joke. That is exactly what he thinks of WV."

One commenter tweeted, "If West Virginia is so f**king great, why aren't republicans flocking to live there?" Another noted, "I don’t think Bette Midler will be coming to West Virginia anytime soon." A person reacted with, "Bette, that’s not fair. West Virginia is full of good people who work hard and take care of each other. Dealing in stereotypes doesn’t help." One more commented, "Effective. Such an effective attack. Bette Midler sure knows how to influence conservatives. I hope she keeps speaking out. The Ds should really send her on a nationwide tour. Keep it up Bette. Please." Another said, "Bette Midler doesn’t understand that the Democrats could not even get a simple majority vote, but still thinks she’s better than you." A user stated, "Bette Midler thinks everybody in West Virginia is 'Poor, illiterate and strung out.' I have news for Bette; Everybody in Hollywood is 'Rich, illiterate, and strung out.'"

Even after receiving backlash, it wasn't long before Midler took another shot at Manchin. When Congressman Jim McGovern slammed Manchin's decision, the singer responded with: "His indifference is immense. Like the rest of his family, he hasn’t a shred of conscience."