Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Congressman apologizes for crude joke about Kellyanne Conway

In this photo taken Feb. 27, 2017, Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway kneels on a couch as President Donald Trump meets with leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)
By Stephen Ohlemacher Associated Press

WASHINGTON – A Louisiana congressman has apologized for making a crude joke about White House adviser Kellyanne Conway.

Democrat Rep. Cedric Richmond made the joke during a comedy routine at last week’s annual Washington Press Club Foundation congressional dinner. Citing the picture of Conway kneeling on a couch in the Oval Office, Richmond said Conway looked “kind of familiar there in that position.”

The joke fell flat as the room full of journalists, congressional staffers and politicians audibly groaned.

Richmond initially defended the joke, saying he simply meant that Conway looked too comfortable. But Sunday night he issued a statement saying he apologizes to Conway and everyone who found his comments to be offensive.