Bill O'Reilly defended Oprah on his Wednesday Fox News show after the talk show host revealed that she experienced racism while visiting Switzerland earlier this month.
During an interview with Larry King, Oprah revealed that she had a racist encounter while shopping in an expensive store in Switzerland. According to Oprah, a shop clerk refused to show her an expensive bag because it was "she couldn't afford it." Oprah attributed the encounter to racism. The Swiss tourism board issued an apology to Oprah. The store clerk spoke out and called the accusation of racism "ridiculous" and said that it was a misunderstanding.
O'Reilly said that Oprah has been criticized for discussing the experience, but that her critics were "misguided."
"That was Oprah's experience, and she has a perfect right to express her feelings about it," he said. "The truth is, there are racists. There are people who don't like women holding power. There are all kinds of loons running around and everybody knows it."
O'Reilly suggested that Oprah move on from the encounter and avoid internalizing such an experience. "If some idiot shop clerk insults Ms. Winfrey, that's wrong but no big deal!" O'Reilly insisted. "Oprah can get on a private jet to go anywhere she wants and buy anything she wants. She has made it in America because she worked hard and used the talent God granted her."
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