Meghan McCain apologized for defending Trump's use of 'China virus' after John Oliver called her out

• Meghan McCain apologized for defending use of the phrase "China virus" by Donald Trump and others.
• McCain said Trump's "racist rhetoric" helped fuel anti-Asian hate.
• "I apologize for any past comments that aided that agenda," McCain added.

Meghan McCain, a cohost of ABC's "The View," on Monday apologized for her prior defense of President Donald Trump and others who used racist, anti-Asian names for the novel coronavirus and COVID-19.

"I condemn the reprehensible violence and vitriol that has been targeted towards the Asian-American community," McCain tweeted. "There is no doubt Donald Trump's racist rhetoric fueled many of these attacks and I apologize for any past comments that aided that agenda."

Throughout last year, Trump insisted on using the phrases "China virus," "Chinese virus," and "kung flu," which research has shown helped fuel anti-Asian sentiments.

Reports of hate crimes and discrimination against Asians in the US have increased dramatically in the past year. The issue was pushed to the forefront of the nation's attention last week by the shooting spree at three Atlanta-area massage parlors that killed eight people, including six Asian women.

Addressing this on the latest episode of his show, "Last Week Tonight," John Oliver called out McCain for defending Trump's rhetoric directly linking the virus to people of Asian descent.

Oliver pointed out that McCain posted a tweet that said "Stop Asian Hate" after the Atlanta shootings but during a March 2020 episode of "The View" had defended use of the term "China virus."

-The View (@TheView) March 18, 2020

"I think if the left wants to focus on PC labeling this virus, it is a great way to get Trump reelected," McCain said at the time. "I don't have a problem with people calling it whatever they want. It's a deadly virus that did originate in Wuhan.

"I don't have a problem with it, and I think China, had they acted right away, and we had more access to information, maybe it wouldn't have gotten to the place that it is."

Oliver ripped into McCain for those comments.

"Oh good! Meghan McCain doesn't have a problem with it," he said. "Listen not to the scores of Asian Americans telling everyone that the term is dangerous and offensive. Instead, gather around and take the word of a wealthy white woman who's dressed like she's about to lay off 47 people over Zoom."