Jimmy Fallon Drummer Calls Bachmann ‘Bitch’ Song ‘Tongue in Cheek’
The drummer for the house band on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” apologized sort of for his decision to play ”Lyin’ Ass Bitch” when Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared on the talk show Monday night.
“The performance was a tongue-in-cheek and spur of the moment decision. The show was not aware of it and I feel bad if her feelings were hurt. That was not my intention,” Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson said in a statement.
As Bachmann, congresswoman and GOP presidential contender, walked across the stage to sit next to Fallon Monday night, house band the Roots played a refrain from the song written by Fishbone.
Though the lyrics refer to a woman as a “slut trash can bitch,” the band sang the “la, la, la” of the refrain.
The band’s drummer sent a tweet prior to the show clueing viewers in on the song choice, writing: “late night walkon song devotees: you love it when we snark: this next one takes the cake. ask around cause i aint tweeting title.”
Later, he retweeted a fan’s reaction: “perfect entry song for her.”
Thompson’s initial tweet came prior to show making air, but after it had been taped earlier that evening.
Neither NBC, “Late Night” or Fallon himself would comment officially on the controversy .
Around noon Tuesday Fallon tweeted, “@Questlove is grounded.”
Thompson is a known supporter of President Obama and has contributed to his campaign. His Twitter account features a photograph of the drummer with the president.
Earlier Monday, Bachmann was asked on NBC’s “Today” show whether she believed she had been treated unfairly by the media because she is a woman.
“Sometimes you wonder about that,” she said. “I have no way of knowing.”
A spokesman for Bachmann did not immediately comment, but a colleague in the Congress came to her defense.
Rep. Nita Lowey, D- NY, called the song “sexist.”
“I do not share Michele Bachmann’s politcis,” said Lowey, “but she deserves to be treated with respect. No female politician — and no woman — should be subjected to sexist and offensive innuendo like she was last night.”