Telemundo Suspends Morning Host and Weatherperson for On-Air Racist Gestures During World Cup Coverage

UPDATE, Telemundo issued the following statement at 11:21emET on Thursday:

ORIGINAL STORY
Hours after a viral video clip of him making a racist gesture clearly mocking Asians during Telemundo’s World Cup coverage, celebrity chef and Un Nuevo Día co-host James Tahhan issued the following statement on Monday evening via Twitter:

Earlier on Monday, a clip of the Venezuelan Tahhan’s gesture got some attention on Twitter. Tahhan was commenting on South Korea’s victory over Germany, which helped Mexico advance in the World Cup:

@Telemundo with the inappropriate Korea jokes. #racist #worldcup #racista #korea pic.twitter.com/Tg6KPCookI

— Carlos Robles (@core787) June 27, 2018

@Telemundo, don’t let your host make racist gestures on the air. ? Thanks!@UnNuevoDia#MundialTelemundo pic.twitter.com/01lCzOULvP

— Jimmy Sanchez (@JimmyJam99) June 27, 2018

Others in the show laughed because you know, racism is funny? Telemundo weatherperson Janice Bencosme is one of the people laughing the most and near the end of the clip is seen making a similar gesture to that of Tahhan.

Neither Bencosme (born in the Dominican Republic) and Tahhan (born in Venezuela) are from Mexico.

Another part of thew clip shows Mexican television host Marco Antonio Regil saying that the South Koreans should get green cards for their win against Germany.

By the way, response to Tahhan’s apology isn’t cutting it so far:

Whatever. They need to fire you and everyone on that panel who laughed along with you.@TLMDPR, @Telemundo…do the right thing.

— Ghee (@mr_ghee_wizz) June 28, 2018

Why do you have to do that. My wife son and daughter are Korean. As an American I was happy for Mexico to advance, and you thank korea with racism? Shame man, my son asking why Mexicans are doing that?

— Alex Meyer (@Oojoospace) June 28, 2018

It would’ve been a mistake if you weren’t aware of the meaning behind the gesture. You can’t possibly tell me that you didn’t know that. But you did it anyway. On live TV. You’re a public figure – and your actions should have consequences. @TLMDPR @Telemundo

— Martin (@AGoodMartini) June 28, 2018

There is not an apology that you could make that will excuse your behavior today.S Korea deserved respect for a hard won game against last year’s winner and a top https://t.co/rTtNoce22n ur joy for ur country going to the next round only because of S Korea u decide to mock?

— chris mccutcheon (@ckm1021) June 28, 2018

UPDATE: At 2:07pm ET Thursday, Bencosme posted an apology on Twitter, hours after she was indefinitely suspended by Telemundo.