Comedian Joan River isn't apologizing
for jokingly calling First Lady Michelle Obama a transgender woman.
Rivers, 81, reportedly made the joke
last week after performing an impromptu wedding ceremony for a gay
couple in New York City.
(Related: Joan
Rivers performs surprise wedding for gay couple.)
In a brief on-the-street exchange with
an unidentified reporter, Rivers said she was “excited” about the
wedding.
“And I think I should do very well
because I don't charge,” she quipped.
“And do you think that the United
States will see the first gay president or the first woman
president?”
“We already have it with Obama, so
let's just calm down,” she joked. “You know Michelle is a
tranny.”
“I'm sorry, she's a what?” the
reporter asked.
“A transgender,” Rivers answered.
“We all know. It's okay.”
In a statement given to CNN, Rivers
explained her remarks, which have generated headlines.
“I think it's a compliment. She's so
attractive, tall, with a beautiful body, great face, does great
makeup. Take a look and go back to La Cage Au Follies (sic). The
most gorgeous women are transgender,” she
said.
“Stop it already ... and if you want
to talk about 'politically correct,' I think this is a 'politically
incorrect' attack on me because I'm old, Jewish, a woman and a
'hetty' – a heterosexual ... and I plan to sue the reporter who,
when he turned off his camera, tried to touch me inappropriately on
the a** – luckily he hit my ankle. Read the book ... if you
think that's silly, wait to (sic) you see what I say about FDR and
Eleanor!” she added, a reference to her latest book, Diary of a
Mad Diva.