Maxine Waters To Bill O'Reilly: 'I'm A Strong Black Woman, And I Cannot Be Intimidated'

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) had nothing to say to Bill OReilly after the Fox News host made a racist and sexist comment about her Tuesday. But she did have a lot to say to viewers tuning in to MSNBC .

I am a strong black woman, and I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be undermined, Waters said after MSNBC host Chris Hayes asked her about OReillys disastrous insult.

I cannot be thought to be afraid of Bill OReilly or anybody. And Id like to say to women out there everywhere: Dont allow these right-wing talking heads, these dishonorable people, to intimidate you or scare you. Be who you are. Do what you do. And let us get on with discussing the real issues of this country.

The California congresswoman also thanked Hillary Clinton for coming to her defense earlier Tuesday, saying that she appreciated the former secretary of state standing up for all women and in particular for black women.

Hours earlier, OReilly apologized to Waters in a statement to The Huffington Post for his comment about Waters hair. During an appearance on Fox & Friends, OReilly responded to a clip of the congresswoman addressing the bigoted behavior of President Donald Trump s supporters by saying, I didnt hear a word she said. I was looking at the James Brown wig.

Waters said she had nothing to say to OReilly but railed against the Fox News host and his former boss, Roger Ailes , for having no credibility.

They have been sued by women. They have had to pay millions of dollars out in fines for harassment and other kinds of things. And so we know about that checkered past. And we also know that when a woman stands up and speaks truth to power that there will be attempts to put her down, and so Im not going to be put down. Im not going to go anywhere. Im going to stay on the issues, she said.

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.

Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.

Support HuffPost

Shortly after Waters appeared on MSNBC, OReilly addressed his racist remark during his Fox News show, but he snickered while he issued an apology to the congresswoman.

Judging from the congresswomans inspiring response, shes not too concerned about OReilly.