N.C. first lady apologizes for comment on Trump supporters

FILE - In this March 4, 2019 file photo, Kristin Cooper, first lady of North Carolina, laughs as she responds to a question from a North Edgecombe High School student while visiting the high school as a part of National School Breakfast Week in Leggett, N.C. Cooper apologized Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, through an emailed statement from her spokesperson to The News & Observer after a screenshot of her saying she “flipped off” supporters of President Donald Trump during a rally in the state was circulated on social media. (Alan Campbell/Rocky Mount Telegram via AP)

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s first lady has apologized after a screenshot of her saying she “flipped off” supporters of President Donald Trump during a rally in the state was circulated on social media.

According to a screenshot of the comment that was also posted on a conservative website this week, Kristin Cooper made the comment while responding to a Facebook post from another user about the Sunday event in Raleigh.

Nearly 60 people had attended the rally, which had a goal of encouraging Christians to vote, WRAL-TV reported. Michelle Morrow, an organizer for the event, told the news outlet that attendees were carrying a “Trump flag”, a “Black the Blue” flag as well as American flags.

“There was a pitiful family group waving those flags by the Capitol today. I flipped them off and told them to go home,” the screenshot shows Cooper as saying. “Was flipping off a brainwashed kid my finest hour? Probably not, but I can live with it.”

Cooper, who is married to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, apologized Thursday in an emailed statement from her spokesperson to The Raleigh News & Observer.

“My personal Facebook comments and actions leading to it were inappropriate, and I am so sorry,” Cooper said. “I apologize to anyone I may have hurt, and I ask for forgiveness.”