Donald Trump

Actor Marlee Matlin Responds to Trump's ‘Retarded' Slur

"The fact that we are talking about this during a very important moment in American history has me deeply upset"

Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin fired back at Donald Trump Friday afternoon following a report that he routinely referred to the deaf actress as "retarded" during her 2011 appearance on "The Celebrity Apprentice." 

According to The Daily Beast, Trump mimicked and demeaned the star and suggested she was mentally handicapped.

"[Trump] would make fun of her voice. It actually sounded a lot like what he did [to] the New York Times guy,” a source who worked on "The Celebrity Apprentice" told The Daily Beast, referring to when Trump appeared to mock disabled reporter Serge Kovaleski last year. 

In the past several days at least six woman have stepped forward accusing Trump of improper and forcible touching as well as aggressive sexual contact.

Among the accusers: Summer Zervos, a former "Apprentice" contestant from season five. She said Friday that Trump made sexual advances during what she thought would be a business meeting.

Trump has denied all the claims.

Matlin, who won the best actress Oscar for "Children of a Lesser God" (1986) and is also known for a recurring role on "The West Wing," responded on her Twitter account Thursday.

[[ 397119121, C]]

"The term (retarded) is abhorrent and should never be used," Matlin wrote. "The fact that we are talking about this during a very important moment in American history has me deeply upset."

Another source told The Daily Beast Trump's behavior toward Matlin carried on throughout much of the season. "In the boardroom, he would talk to her like she was 'special,'" the source said. "He took her deafness as a some kind of [mental] handicap."

Marlin said she would not responded to Trump in kind with further insults, but would make herself heard by voting. 

The Trump campaign did not respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment.

NBC has also reached out for comment. 

[NATL] Highlights From the 2016 Campaign Trail

Contact Us