Kyrie Irving has once again failed to apologize for a social media post that included a link to a film featuring antisemitic messaging.
The Nets star told reporters on Thursday that he took responsibility for tweeting a link to the Amazon page of the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which is based on a book of the same name that is “stuffed with antisemitic tropes,” according to Rolling Stone.
Irving had previously defended his decision to share the link and pushed back on the idea that he was promoting the film or book, though he later deleted the tweet.
MORE: Fact-checking “Hebrews to Negroes” movie tweeted by Kyrie Irving
However, Irving stopped short of apologizing despite the fact that NBA commissioner Adam Silver had issued a statement earlier in the day expressing disappointment because Irving had not “offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize.”
Irving’s media availability lasted more than six minutes and was cut short by a public relations staffer, according to ESPN’s Nick Friedell. Here are a few of Irving’s responses from that press conference.
Question: Are you sorry for the hurt that your post caused people?
Irving: I take my responsibility for posting that — some things that were questionable in there, untrue. Like I said the first time you guys asked me when I was sitting on that stage, I don’t believe everything that everybody posts. It’s a documentary. So, I take my responsibility.
“I take my responsibility for posting that. Some things that were questionable in there, untrue.”
– Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/EKNuCau8Lw
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) November 3, 2022
Question: Adam Silver wanted to hear the words, “I apologize.” In your mind, you said, “I didn’t mean to cause any harm.” Were you apologizing or were you not apologizing?
Irving: I didn’t mean to cause any harm. I’m not the one that made the documentary.
Question: What are the specific things in the documentary that you don’t believe are true and that you don’t believe represent your morals?
Irving: I think some of the criticism of the Jewish faith and the community, for sure — some points made in there that were unfortunate.
Kyrie Irving says he didn’t mean to cause any harm in sharing a post to a film that has been described as anti-Semitic:
“I’m not the one that made the documentary” pic.twitter.com/NkRvZDoqbS
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) November 3, 2022
Question: Do you have any antisemitic beliefs?
Irving: Again, I’m gonna repeat. I don’t know how the label becomes justified because you guys asked me the same questions over and over again, but this is not gonna turn into a spin-around cycle, questions upon questions. I told you guys how I felt. I respect all walks of life and embrace all walks of life. That’s where I sit.
Question: I think what people want to hear, though, is a yes or no on that question. Yes or no?
Irving: I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from.
Question: What does that mean?
Irving: I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from.
Kyrie Irving is asked if he has any anti-Semitic beliefs: pic.twitter.com/hHI8FFqMbs
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) November 3, 2022
On Friday, Irving released a joint statement with the Nets and the Anti-Defamation League announcing that Irving and the team would each donate $500,000 toward “causes organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities.” Irving declined to specify whether he had directly spoken to members of the ADL.
“I was informed that they wanted to have a meeting, and we handled it,” Irving said.
You can watch Irving’s full press conference below.
