After Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions was spotted with his Asian-American granddaughter while waiting to testify at his Tuesday confirmation hearing, MTV culture writer Ira Madison III joked that Sessions had stolen her from a Toys ‘R Us.

UPDATE (11:30 AM ET): The tweet has since been deleted.

Madison received blowback from the left and right alike, but stuck to his guns, arguing that Sessions’ granddaughter was being used as a prop, and tying Sessions’ stance on immigration to the exclusionary snti-Asian immigration policies of the 1880’s.

Why is she a prop? Sessions argued for policy that in the 1880s was used to discriminate against Asian Americans https://t.co/sZitqzLBS4 — Ira Madison III (@ira) January 10, 2017

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

In fact, Americans have long used Asian-Americans as “model minorities” since the rise of the civil rights act https://t.co/IwFwt4vXpX — Ira Madison III (@ira) January 10, 2017

Sessions has shown horrendous anti-black behavior. His love for an Asian family member does not dissuade that. — Ira Madison III (@ira) January 10, 2017

Still, the pushback continued.

Confirmation hearings twitter off to a less-than-promising start. pic.twitter.com/zOSTiZxgPT — McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) January 10, 2017

JFC that’s his OWN GRANDDAUGHTER you’re referring to, you useless smug social media controversialist. https://t.co/PpCyDtRV2D — Jeff B/DDHQ (@EsotericCD) January 10, 2017

This is why you leave kids/grandkids out of political fights. No matter what side you’re on it makes you look like an asshole. https://t.co/8N54I1hpDM — Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) January 10, 2017



[Image via screengrab]

UPDATE: 11:55 pm EST: A spokesperson for MTV has put out response to Madison’s tweet, saying “the opinions Ira expresses on Twitter are his own and do not reflect the views of MTV News.”

—

>>Follow Alex Griswold (@HashtagGriswold) on Twitter

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]