Elisabeth Hasselbeck Fires Up Social Media Over Sandra Bland Controversy: Fox Co-Host Views Cigarette As Weapon [Video]

Elisabeth Hasselbeck had a few choice words to offer on the Sandra Bland controversy – and they weren’t well-received. The former conservative co-host of The View who subsequently joined Fox & Friends got blasted on social media when Elisabeth focused on Bland’s cigarette as a threatening weapon, reported MSN.

“I’m sure, someone has, in the history of this land, used a cigarette against a police officer,” Hasselbeck said.

Twitter immediately blew up at Elisabeth’s implication that the police’s request that Sandra extinguish her cigarette made the rest of the events acceptable.

“Is she trying to justify murder?” asked @quaymorris.

“Did Fox News think Sandra Bland could absorb the energy of her cigarette and hurl a fireball at the cop?” questioned @owillis.

“What an incredibly idiotic statement @ehasselbeck. Do you enjoy making yourself look heartless on national TV?” wrote JessK (@i_amJessK).

In addition to Elisabeth’s comments, the release of Sandra Bland’s toxicology report is raising questions, according to the New York Times.

https://youtu.be/udZF3b3oluY

That report indicated that Bland had consumed marijuana prior to her death. The initial sections of the toxicology report for Sandra from the Waller County District Attorney led to suggestions that she used marijuana prior to arrest or in prison.

However, despite Hasselbeck’s implication that Bland’s cigarette was somehow a weapon, many on social media are alleging that Sandra was dead prior to her arrival at the jail. In response, Texas officials have shown new video indicating that she was alive in the prison, reported NBC News.

The 28-year-old Bland, who was arrested during a traffic stop, was discovered in her cell, hanging by a garbage bag. The autopsy report indicated suicide.

However, Elisabeth is still drawing fire for speculating that Sandra was so irritated by the routine traffic stop that she somehow could have used her cigarette as a dangerous weapon, reported Salon.

The “irritated” Bland might have “attacked” Officer Brian Encinia, postulated Hasselbeck.

“What if, I mean, there are times, I’m sure, someone has, in the history of this land, used a cigarette against a police officer,” Elisabeth added. “Maybe chucked it at him — pushed it at him?”

Hasselbeck’s net worth is estimated at $12 million dollars, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

https://youtu.be/GyoznklOEu4

Elisabeth began her career designing Puma shoes, then took a chance to become the last survivor on Survivor: The Australian Outback.

Although she was sent home in fourth place, Hasselback then did win big when she became the conservative voice on The View, which she then exited for her current role on Fox & Friends. Elisabeth and husband Tim Hasselback have two sons and a daughter.

As the Inquisitr reported, the revolving door on The View has whirled many times since Elisabeth exited. In addition to Hasselbeck, Rosie O’Donnell came and went. And now Candace Cameron Bure is expected to fill Elisabeth’s conservative seat on the panel.

[Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images]