Paula Deen Racist Controversy: After Being Fired By Food Network and Target Over N-Word Use, Former President Jimmy Carter Defends Chef

Paula Deen has been waiting for people to come to her aid in the midst of a string of firings over the use of the N-word and allegations of being a racist. And it has come, admittedly, from some very strange places. Ciara stood up for the chef recently, but that doesn't top Paula Deen's latest supporter in outright strangeness. The latest to back the possibly prejudiced enterpeneur is former President Jimmy Carter.

In an interview with CNN, Carter admitted that he advised Deen on how to carry herself after the scandal broke.

"I advised her to let the dust settle and to make apologies. And she has some very beneficial human programs in Savannah, Georgia, where she lives," said Carter. "I advised her to get some of those people who she's helping every day to speak out and show that she has changed in her relationship with African-American people, with minorities in the last number of years."

However, Carter did stop short of defending Deen's actions, saying "my heart goes out to her, but of course there's no condoning the use of a word that abuses other people."

In the wake of recent firings, Deen is expected to lose almost half of her estimated wealth.

What do you think of Carter backing Deen?

Sound off below.