MSNBC host Rachel Maddow broke down in tears while live on-air, over a report about the “tender age” shelters that have been set up for migrant babies and toddlers.
The television host struggled to hold back tears as she tried to read a report from the Associated Press on the three facilities where children under the age of 13 are being sent after being separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.
She said, “This is incredible — Trump administration officials have been sending babies and other young children…,” before realising that she couldn’t finish the segment.
“I think I’m going to have to hand this off, sorry,” she said through tears as she waved the camera off.
Rachel Maddow chokes up and cries on air as she struggles to deliver news that migrant babies and toddlers have been sent to “tender age” shelters pic.twitter.com/O6crm8cvyR
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) June 20, 2018
According to reports, at least three Texas facilities are currently holding hundreds of babies and toddlers, and the government is reportedly planning to open a fourth “tender age” shelter in Houston as the number of separated children grows.
After the emotional clip went viral on Twitter, Rachel took to Twitter to apologise for not being able to finish the broadcast.
“Ugh, I’m sorry,” she wrote. “If nothing else, it is my job to actually be able to speak while I’m on TV.”
Rachel then shared the report she was trying to read when she got choked up on air.
All from this Associated Press story that broke while I was on the air tonight, but which I was unable to read on the air:https://t.co/2VBLTVxvQq
Again, I apologize for losing it there for a moment. Not the way I intended that to go, not by a mile.
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) June 20, 2018
“I apologize for losing it there for a moment. Not the way I intended that to go, not by a mile,” she added.
There has been serious backlash over the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy, which has resulted in thousands of migrant children being separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.
See how people are reacting online:
John and I have watched this show for a long, long time now. DVR’ed every night. And I’ve never ever seen her cry. “Summer camp”. “Womp womp”. FUCK these heartless people. https://t.co/ysecicCauy
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) June 20, 2018
You up, America?
Me too.Just lying here worrying if they read the little ones a bedtime story. Do they read it in Spanish?
Are there cribs for the babies? Does anyone hold them when they cry at night?
I have many horrible, horrible questions about tender age internment camps.
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) June 20, 2018
I was just under two-years-old in this photo. I would cry whenever my mom left to pick up my dad from work…I couldn’t stand to be without her. I was at the age in this photo to be placed in one of the tender age camps that @maddow talked about tonight. I’m heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/xIwhZ29cmK
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) June 20, 2018
“Tender age shelters” is an interesting euphemism for baby jails
— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) June 20, 2018
Trump Administration is detaining babies and toddlers in “tender age shelters” who may never be reunited with their parents. Babies. Babies. You have brought shame to the nation. We are better than this. pic.twitter.com/QM2C3uHvVg
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) June 20, 2018
A picture speaks a thousand words
Please write the caption you think best fits
Because I have no words ????
Except, please make it stop ✋
Babes should not be jailed #TenderAge #TenderAgeShelters pic.twitter.com/AN8kxlODHB
— Luna Lovegood ✨????✨ (@LunaLuvgood2017) June 20, 2018
“Tender age shelters” = Trump child prisons.
— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) June 20, 2018
