When the interview aired, viewers took to Twitter to share their opinions, and the hashtag #RKellyInterview became a trending topic nationwide.

Several said the singer-songwriter’s outburst demonstrated his guilt. They called him a “manipulator” and a “liar” and said he was not a victim.

R Kelly is using abuser language.



“ I have a big heart”

“Why would I”



Easier to make his transgressions come from a place of love or seem too unrealistic to occur.



He is a liar. He reacted emotionally like a child talking to a parent who doesn’t believe them. Go to hell. — George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) March 6, 2019

Watch this please. Importantly, R. Kelly does NOT deny sexually assaulting underage girls. In fact, his answer demonstrates his guilt. He fails to understand that it doesn’t matter “how long ago” it happened. And he also has no clue as to how “double jeopardy” works. https://t.co/ntGt8I5zBC — Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 5, 2019

Judging from his tears, lies and emotional outbursts as he's calmly questioned about the sexual assault he committed, R. Kelly is definitely going to get confirmed to the Supreme Court — maura quint (@behindyourback) March 6, 2019

I said this with Brett Kavanaugh and I'll say it with R. Kelly: When someone is being asked a question about their principles or their actions and they start crying, that person is a manipulator at very best. Tears cause a lot of people to forego holding others accountable. — hopeful pessimist (formerly @sjw_movies) (@plsleaveamsg) March 6, 2019

The R Kelly interview is abuser 101: when threatened or even mildly challenged, respond by screaming, blaming, and escalating physically until you regain control. If this is how he treats a powerful woman on national television, imagine how he treats vulnerable girls in private pic.twitter.com/sckwU0SGvc — Laura Hudson (@laura_hudson) March 6, 2019

This reminds me when Kavanaugh and Mark Meadows started crying and yelling in public when accused. Hmmm is this the new defense for men who are guilty? — EileenRDavis (@EileenRDavis) March 6, 2019

» RELATED: R. Kelly timeline: History of sexual abuse allegations, cases, trials

During the interview, Kelly said beating his 2008 case, where he was acquitted of 14 counts of child pornography, should be proof of his innocence.

Many disagreed with that sentiment.

When R Kelly said “I beat the case” instead of “I‘m innocent” pic.twitter.com/bWph2UCvOs — - (@drphilDONTEhue) March 6, 2019

Just because you “beat” your case doesn’t make you an innocent man...#UseYourCommonSense🙄🙄🙄 #rkellyinterview — LooshusLyin’ (@MackTenn74) March 6, 2019

R. Kelly really said "I beat my case" instead of saying i'm not guilty then said you can't double jeopardy me



yeah lock bruh up pic.twitter.com/kdl9GNPtJc — Ahmed/DaBaby just saved Hip Hop (@big_business_) March 6, 2019

There were also people who sided with Kelly. They said they believed him and expressed sympathy for him.

R Kelly is innocent, look at those precious tears. I feel so bad @its_gxry pic.twitter.com/VSOi83mbDM — bosli junior (@CleanRBLX) March 6, 2019

R.Kelly is innocent don’t @ me. — 𝕷𝖞𝖓𝖓∞ (@LynnTakeOff) March 6, 2019

Tbh R.Kelly is innocent I’m routing for you! @rkelly — NiaaaaJ 💋✨ (@niapretty_) March 6, 2019

I believe R.kelly im not gone lie .... — ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇss ᴋᴇɪ 💖 (@_CiaoBellaxxo_) March 6, 2019

Others were less moved by whether Kelly was innocent or not. Instead, they commented on King’s composure as she conducted the interview. She was praised for her calmness and professionalism during what some referred to as Kelly’s rants.

There’s a lot going on in these R. Kelly clips. But one thing that jumps out is how direct, super clear and no frills these questions are by @GayleKing. She’s asking exactly what most of us would ask if we were in her seat. Crazy how refreshing it is. Speaks to how rare it is. https://t.co/Pt0ISn32sM — Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 6, 2019

R Kelly isn’t even talking to Gayle so much as he’s talking to the camera. He wants this interview to be another performance. He wasn’t ready for Gayle’s stellar and unflappable style. pic.twitter.com/jxYisuGT1N — deray (@deray) March 6, 2019

This is wild. @GayleKing is again teaching a master’s class in interviewing. She remains so calm and focused while @rkelly loses it. https://t.co/8IUtssouzt — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 6, 2019

» RELATED: R. Kelly posts bond in sex abuse case after three nights in jail

Others made light of the interview, addressing the onslaught of memes shortly after the interview went public. Some didn’t find the memes based off of Kelly’s tears as a joke.

R. Kelly pouring his heart out just for us to chop up his interview to make memes. >>>>> — Kevín (@KevOnStage) March 6, 2019

You know guys, I'm not really comfortable with seeing R. Kelly's crying face turned into a MEME. Let's not give him that. — Jasmyn Lawson (@JasmynBeKnowing) March 6, 2019

already seeing r. kelly crying memes. twitter undefeated — Desus Nice (@desusnice) March 6, 2019

My prediction is black twitter will meme R Kelly for an hour but by 8 or so they’ll be shaming themselves for meme’ing the interview. By 10 pm they’ll attack a white celeb for laughing at the memes they created by mocking that celeb with memes that are way worse. — M’BlockU (@rodimusprime) March 6, 2019

Missed this "CBS This Morning" segment? Catch the full interview on CBS.

King will continue to cover Kelly’s saga on Friday’s “CBS This Morning,” when she interviews two of the women who currently live with Kelly, Azriel Clary of Florida and Joycelyn Savage of Georgia.