Scott Adams controversies: 'Dilbert' creator's old racist comments resurface after death

Scott Adams, a Trump supporter, faced backlash for racist remarks in 2023 livestream, prompting major newspapers like WP and USA Today to drop Dilbert.

Updated on: Jan 13, 2026, 23:33:36 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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Scott Adams, the creator of the iconic Dilbert comic strip, has passed away at the age of 68, his family confirmed. He announced his prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025, confirming that he only has a few months to live. Earlier on Tuesday, it was reported that Adams is in hospice care and within hours, the news of his death came.

Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert, talks about his work at his studio in Dublin, California. (AP)

Adams was a controversial character, to say the least. Quite openly a fan of President Donald Trump, Adams was flagged for racist comments he made on a livestream in February 2023. As a result of the rant, many major newspapers, such as The Washington Post, USA Today, and others, dropped Dilbert from their publications.

Shelly Miles, who is Adams' former wife, announced his death on a YouTube livestream on Tuesday. She read out a statement that Adams left to be published after his death. "I had an amazing life, the statement read. "I gave it everything I had. If you got any benefits from my life, I ask you pay it forward as best you can."

After his death, the controversies surrounding the 68-year-old cartoonist resurfaced. What exactly did he say? Let's find out.

Scott Adams' Racist Remarks Revisited

Scott Adams made the remarks on a YouTube livestream in February 2023 on his show, Real Coffee with Scott Adams. The remarks came as Adams was citing a Rasmussen Reports survey where surveyors were asked whether "It's okay to be white." Adams picked on the Black respondents, of whom 26% disagreed with the remarks.

He then referred to Black Americans as a "major hate group" and proclaimed that he will not "help Black Americans" anymore and asked White people to "get the hell away from Black people."

Also read: Scott Adams net worth: All on his family, wealth and meeting with Trump

He also predicted the backlash that his comments would get, saying: "By Monday, I should be mostly canceled. So, most of my income will be gone by next week. My reputation for the rest of my life is destroyed. You can't come back from this."

He later went on to defend the comments, despite the backlash, suggesting it was hyperbole.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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