UPDATE: Ambien maker Sanofi offered this response.
Ambien maker Sanofi responds to Roseanne Barr, who blamed racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett on the sleep medication:
— ABC News (@ABC) May 30, 2018
"Racism is not a known side effect of any Sanofi medication." https://t.co/Uj0SqzJM7y pic.twitter.com/uFmtnW1WOs
ORIGINAL POST
Roseanne Barr is blaming her controversial tweet about Valerie Jarrett on a sleeping pill. On Monday, the comedienne wrote, "muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby = vj.” It was aimed at former President Obama aide Valerie Jarrett, a black woman who was born in Iran to American parents. Although Roseanne's TV show reboot had been a ratings success for ABC this year, the network showed no hesitation in canceling the program over her "repugnant" comment. Roseanne also apologized for the tweet and urged her fans not to boycott ABC, since they had the right to fire her.
On Tuesday, after reflecting on the tweet and the backlash, Roseanne tried to explain that Ambien had something to do with her late night tweeting.
“It was 2 in the morning and I was Ambien tweeting-it was memorial day too-i went 2 far & do not want it defended-it was egregious Indefensible,” she wrote. “I made a mistake I wish I hadn’t but...don’t defend it please.”
Some social media users and media pundits weren't buying it and began mocking her defense.
Thank you, Roseanne. Now that I know Ambien causes overt racism, I'm going to stick with the subtle microaggressions of Nyquil.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) May 30, 2018
I have only taken Ambien once...but I don't remember one of the side-effects being racism.
— John Berman (@JohnBerman) May 30, 2018
*Warning: side effects may include irritability, bigotry, and career suicide. https://t.co/5qCAG8BqtN
— Spanky (@KoolaidUSA) May 30, 2018
Roseanne still acknowledged her tweet was not in good taste asked her fans not to defend her sleep-induced comments.
hey guys, don't defend me, it's sweet of you 2 try, but...losing my show is 0 compared 2 being labelled a racist over one tweet-that I regret even more.
— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 30, 2018
Yet, the comedienne did not appreciate the condemnation she was receiving from her fellow cast members, whom she's known for years.
Roseanne’s recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show. I am disappointed in her actions to say the least.
— sara gilbert (@THEsaragilbert) May 29, 2018
Roseanne responded to statements like those by writing, "I’m tired of being attacked & belittled more than other comedians who have said worse."
She signed off Tuesday night thanking fans for their "kind comments" and support.