British-born actress Emily Blunt apologized Thursday for saying the first Republican presidential debate made her regret becoming an American citizen.
Breitbart News highlighted comments buried in a story that appeared in The Hollywood Reporter last weekend, in which Blunt expressed regret over becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in August.
“I became an American citizen recently, and that night, we watched the Republican debate and I thought, ‘This was a terrible mistake. What have I done?’” said Blunt.
The actress stopped by NBC’s Today to promote the upcoming film Sicario on Thursday morning, but also apologized with the help of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, who said Blunt’s comment was “a joke” that was taken the “wrong way.”
The actress now insists that becoming a citizen was “kind of a special day.”
“It was so not the intention to hurt anybody or cause any offense, so I really apologize to those that I caused offense,” she said. “It was just an offhand joke. I think I’ll probably leave the political jokes to late night or something.”
On becoming an American citizen on Aug. 4, Blunt told NBC, ”It’s really meaningful. You know, I mean, my two favorite people in the world are American — my husband and my daughter.”
Blunt, who is married to actor John Krasinki, had made numerous other negative remarks about taking her oath.
As a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week, Blunt was asked about acquiring dual citizenship, to which she replied, “It’s so strange and slightly disarming. I’m not sure I’m entirely thrilled about it.”