Haley Joel Osment Apologizes for Using Antisemitic Slur During Arrest
Haley Joel Osment has issued an apology for using antisemitic language during an arrest that took place earlier this month.
What did Haley Joel Osment say during his arrest?
Osment, who was arrested at a ski resort earlier this month for possession of cocaine and disorderly conduct, reportedly used an antisemitic slur as he was being taken in by police.
According to police body cam footage of the event obtained by People, Osment can be seen being placed inside the back of a police car and saying he was “being attacked.” When asked for his name, Osment simply says “I’m an American.”
Later in the video, Osment can be heard screaming from inside the car that he’s being kidnapped. “I’m being kidnapped by a f—— Nazi,” said Osment, who also calls the arresting office an antisemitic slur.
In a statement to People, Osment acknowledged the incident, and apologized for the moment. He says that, had he known he did it, the actor would have spoken up about it sooner, and hopes he can “atone” for his mistake.
“I’m absolutely horrified by my behavior. Had I known I used this disgraceful language in the throes of a blackout, I would have spoken up sooner,” Osment, who recently lost his home in the Altadena, California fires in January, said. “The past few months of loss and displacement have broken me down to a very low emotional place.
“But that’s no excuse for using this disgusting word. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to absolutely everyone that this hurts. What came out of my mouth was nonsensical garbage – I’ve let the Jewish community down and it devastates me. I don’t ask for anyone’s forgiveness, but I promise to atone for my terrible mistake.”
