MSNBC political analyst Michael Eric Dyson apologized to conservative commentator Candace Owens for calling her a "little girl" during a heated debate on the network Tuesday night.

The apology came at the end of a segment focused on President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE and the state of the black community in America on "The Beat with Ari Melber."

"There is no justification for my addressing Ms. Owens as 'little girl' at the end of the segment. I offer @RealCandaceO my sincere and public apology. And I hope that this did not distract viewers from the valid arguments I made," Dyson, who is also a New York Times contributing opinion writer and Georgetown University professor, wrote.

There is no justification for my addressing Ms Owens as “little girl” at the end of the segment. I offer @RealCandaceO my sincere and public apology. And I hope that this did not distract viewers from the valid arguments I made. — Michael Eric Dyson (@MichaelEDyson) August 8, 2018

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The verbal jousting on MSNBC included Dyson stating a need for more concern over the "violence directed toward black people in this country." Owens countered that she had been a victim of anti-fascist activists, whom she characterized as "25 white Democrats" that "assembled to kick me out of a restaurant yesterday, to throw water and to throw eggs at me because I’m a conservative that supports Donald Trump."

On Monday, Owens, along with Turning Point USA founder and president Charlie Kirk, were surrounded at a Philadelphia restaurant while eating breakfast. Water was poured on Kirk as they exited the restaurant.

During the MSNBC segment, Dyson argued that Owens was reducing the debate to "narcissistic self-preoccupation" by broaching the incident.

"You have come on here and like Donald Trump reduced everything to narcissistic self-preoccupation," said Dyson.

"You’re using big words and saying nothing. I have said nothing narcissistic. I’m talking about Trump. A narcissist looks at themselves and you are obsessed with yourself," Owens replied.

"We’re out of time," host Ari Melber injected.

"Bless your heart little girl," Dyson said to Owens before going to break.

Owens is Turning Point's communications director.