Milo Yiannopoulos‘ interview and behavior are once more making headlines. On Friday, ABC Nightline host Terry Moran went head-to-head with the professional troll and controversial Internet sensation known as Milo Yiannopoulos.
Mr. Yiannopoulos is a Donald Trump supporter, who works for Breitbart News. He initially gained notoriety for his ultra-conservative views, wild videos, and head-scratching speeches, but over the summer he got the world’s attention in a big way.
Using his Twitter handle @Nero, he decided to attack Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones for being black and for making a movie. You have read correctly, Jones, who is also a cast member on Saturday Night Live was being bashed because she dared to have a career.
The British provocateur made harsh comments about Jones’ skin tone, her face, body, and said she was a man. Many of his followers went further by comparing Jones to a monkey, an ape, and other shocking and vulgar statements that should not be repeated.
The harassment went so far that it pushed an emotional Jones to quit Twitter. However, before dumping her account, Jones reported Yiannopoulos to Twitter. The social networking site took action against Yiannopoulos and permanently banned him. Twitter said in a statement at the time:
“no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online … We will continue to take action against accounts that are reported to us and which clearly violate our rules.”
There was also a flood of support for Jones via the #LoveforLeslie, and she is now back on Twitter posting funny videos and making jokes about life and the Golden Girls. Yiannopoulos said he wants the suspension revoked.
Talking to ABC, Yiannopoulos stated he has no regrets and more or less blamed Jones for not being tough enough to take the heat. Here is a chosen portion of the interview:
Moran:
“If Leslie Jones were right here, would you say, ‘You look like a dude’?”
Yiannopoulos:
“Yeah, probably.”
Moran:
“You would say that to her.”
Yiannopoulos:
“I probably would.”
Moran:
“Then you’re an idiot.”
Yiannopoulos went on to say that it was not his place to tell his thousands of Twitter followers to be polite and stop harassing another human being. The self-proclaim gay Catholic entrepreneur revealed:
“Does Justin Bieber have an obligation to his fans? I’m sorry for being popular. But I am not responsible for what 350,000 people on the Internet say. I’m responsible for what I say.”
Later in the interview, Moran slammed Yiannopoulos for his sexist views. The reporter said:
“You’re going to go after somebody’s body to denigrate their ideas? What grade are you in? Are you a 13-year-old boy? Because somebody doesn’t have a weight that you think is proper? That’s revolting.”
Yiannopoulos responded:
“I’ll tell you what’s revolting. What’s revolting is the body positivity movement. What’s revolting is this idea now that you can tell women that they’ll be healthy at any size.”
Yiannopoulos concluded with the mother of all statements:
“I am a virtuous troll who’s doing God’s work. My rudeness creates conversation, provokes people into saying oh what a monster, and then 20% of people start talking about what I was actually saying I will consider my career to be a terrific success.”
Some say the tense conversation might create more Yiannopoulos followers.
