An MTV News host and writer was widely criticized online after he mocked the Asian-American grandchildren of Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE's attorney general nominee, Sen. Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsTrump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status White House officials voted by show of hands on 2018 family separations: report MORE (R-Ala.), in a series of tweets on Tuesday.

Ira Madison, an African-American culture writer for MTV News and host of the channel's "Speed Dial," accused Sessions of showcasing his grandchildren at a Senate confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill to avoid being labeled a racist.

There is no reason for that child to be in his lap in a hearing other than to send an "I'm not racist message" — Ira Madison III (@ira) January 10, 2017

“The opinions Ira expresses on Twitter are his own and do not reflect the views of MTV News,” a MTV communications vice president said Tuesday.

Reaction from media members was swift:

Disgusting tweet. The little girl is his granddaughter. Delete your account and find some humanity. https://t.co/8OZUtY5FcA — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 10, 2017

.@ira "I'll show you how racist Jeff Sessions is by showing how racist I am!" — Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) January 10, 2017

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Members of Sessions's family, including his four Asian-American grandchildren, joined him in Washington on Tuesday.

His daughter, Ruth Sessions Walk, is married to an Asian-American man.

Updated 1:04 p.m.