Ellen DeGeneres speaks out after sparking online meltdown over 'racist' Usain Bolt tweet
ELLEN DEGENERES was forced to take to Twitter earlier today to insist she's not "racist" after a snap she posted of herself on Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt's back caused chaos online.
Ellen DeGeneres posted a meme of herself holding on to Usain Bolt's back
Ellen, 58, found herself at the centre of a social media meltdown this evening after Twitter users were quick to call her "racist" for poking fun at how fast Usain can run.
She shared a meme, showing herself clutching on the gold medallist's back, alongside the caption: "This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016"
Usain even re-tweeted the presenter's post, but that didn't stop people criticising her online.
One person posted: "No, I don't think Ellen Degeneres is racist, but I do think that tweet was in bad taste and she should have known better."
Ellen's tweet has hit headlines across the globe
Ellen has insisted she's not racist
Ellen has since defended herself online
Usain Bolt smashes the 100 meters making it look too easy
"@TheEllenShow @usainbolt So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you...Ok," a further social media user shared.
A third wrote: "@TheEllenShow honestly this is offensive."
Despite the negative comments though, others were quick to defend the US comedian.
One insisted: "Like its Ellen...she makes jokes. She's not a racist at all. My goodness."
"Oh my GAWD Ellen Degeneres is the last person on earth to post a racist meme. Take a joke and stop being offended in 2016!" a second added.
Ellen with her wife Portia de Rossi
A third gushed: "YOU ARE AWESOME ELLEN I WASNT OFFENDED. ANYONE THAT KNOWS YOU OR WANTS TO KNOW YOU KNOWS YOU ARE NOT RACIST."
Ellen has since taken to her profile to insist that she was definitely not being racist, saying that it was "the furthest thing from who she is".
She posted: "I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am."
Express.co.uk has contacted Ellen's spokesperson for further comments.