A United States representative from North Carolina said in a television interview on Thursday that protesters in Charlotte “hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not,” and then hours later recanted and apologized.

The representative, Robert Pittenger, a Republican whose district includes parts of Charlotte, was interviewed on a British Broadcasting Corporation show, BBC Newsnight, when he made the comment.

Protesters in #Charlotte "hate white people" – North Carolina Congressman Pittenger tells #newsnight https://t.co/q6ELYD01QV

— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) September 22, 2016

In response to an interviewer’s question about the demonstrators’ grievance, Mr. Pittenger said: “The grievance in their mind is the animus, the anger. They hate white people because white people are successful and they’re not. I mean, yes, it is, it is a welfare state. We have spent trillions of dollars on welfare, and we’ve put people in bondage so they can’t be all that they are capable of being.”

The comment drew criticism on social media.

Congressman Robert Pittenger is so ignorant.

— Mia The Boss™ (@MiaTheBoss) September 23, 2016

Grier Martin, a Democrat who is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, on Twitter called the comment “one of the most ignorant statements I have ever heard.”

One of the most ignorant statements I have ever heard. Ashamed to have served with this fool in the #ncga. #ncpol https://t.co/nZJe6t4b69

— Rep. Grier Martin (@GrierMartin) September 22, 2016

Within hours, Mr. Pittenger, 68, apologized and tried to explain himself in a series of posts on Twitter. He said his “anguish” about what was happening in Charlotte prompted him to respond to a question “in a way that I regret.”

He apologized and said he hoped “we can bring peace and calm to Charlotte.” He added that he was trying to discuss a lack of economic mobility for African-Americans “because of failed policies.”

What is taking place in my hometown breaks my heart. Today, my anguish led me to respond to a reporter's question in a way that I regret

— Rep Robert Pittenger (@reppittenger) September 22, 2016

I apologize to those I offended and hope we can bring peace and calm to Charlotte.

— Rep Robert Pittenger (@reppittenger) September 22, 2016

My intent was to discuss the lack of economic mobility for African Americans because of failed policies.

— Rep Robert Pittenger (@reppittenger) September 22, 2016

Mr. Pittenger appeared on CNN on Thursday night to defuse the criticism, but not all were convinced it was effective.

Not sure what's sadder: Robert Pittenger's ignorant statement, or him digging the hole deeper on #CNN

— Ken Dennis (@ken_dennis) September 23, 2016