Karl Stefanovic apologises for ‘ignorant jibe’

James Ried
Jul 29, 2016, updated Jul 29, 2016

Karl Stefanovic has apologised for his insensitive transgender comments. Photo: Today Show

Today Show host Karl Stefanovic has delivered a genuine apology during Friday’s program after making an “ignorant jibe” about transgender people.

On Thursday, Stefanovic made jokes at the expense of the transgender community in a live cross with Nine reporter Christine Ahern in Rio.

A group of transgender people had allegedly attempted to mug Ahern and her crew, prompting Stefanovic to repeatedly refer to the perpetrators as ‘trannies’.

“I know that you have gone to see the police about this tranny. We have a confit made up and we know they don’t all look the same. Is that the tranny they are talking about it?” he said, as a sketch of Hugo Weaving in Priscilla, Queen of The Desert appeared on the screen.

After a day of serious social media backlash, Stefanovic offered a sincere apology for his ignorance.

“As we all know, I can be a complete tool, right? Well, yesterday I was worse — I was an ignorant tool,” he said.

"As we all know I can be a complete tool. Yesterday, I was worse, an ignorant tool." – @KarlStefanovic #9Today https://t.co/EYFvt33Twu

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 28, 2016

“I pride myself, in my own weird way, of being across things. Yesterday I wasn’t. Yesterday, I got it very wrong.

“I used a word which I will now say for the last time ever. By using the word ‘tranny’, I offended an awful lot of beautiful and sensitive people.

“I honestly didn’t know the negative and deeply hurtful impact that word has, not only on members of the LGBTQI community, but on their family and their friends.

“Therein lies part of the problem, I reckon. I’ve never bothered to ask.”

Stefanovic went on to say he didn’t even know what LGBTQI stood for, but was working to educate himself and was deeply sorry for his actions.

“I get it wrong — I probably always will. But as a result of yesterday, I truly have learned a lesson,” he said.

“People, my brothers and sisters in the community who like and respect me, were deeply hurt by my use of an outdated stereotype. They told me to educate myself. I have started to.”