MSNBC Faces Right-Wing Backlash Over Tweet About New Cheerios Interracial Family Ad

Updated Thurs., Jan 30, 1:30 p.m.: Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus expressed his concern in a written statement (pdf) about "this kind of attack" on conservatives and banned RNC staff from the network unless President Phil Griffin apologizes.  

This is more than just a tweet or an offhand comment. This is part of a pattern of behavior that has gotten markedly worse, and until Phil Griffin personally apologizes and takes corrective action, we cannot be part of this network's toxic programming.

Earlier:

MSNBC has officially apologized after sparking controversy by sending out a tweet Wednesday insinuating that the right wing would hate the new Cheerios Super Bowl ad that brought back an interracial family.

"Maybe the rightwing will hate it, but everyone else will go awww: the adorable new #Cheerios ad w/ biracial family," the tweet read.

Outraged, conservative blogger and pundit Michelle Malkin urged more right-leaning folks to respond to the tweet with photos of their families hashtagging it #MyRightWingBiracialFamily.

It started to trend on Twitter as an influx of photos started circulating, many slamming the network.

MSNBC eventually apologized and deleted the offending tweet.