Longtime New York Times columnist David Brooks finally addressed the firestorm surrounding his tweet griping about the “terrible” economy — and said he should have never have written the “insensitive” post.

Brooks, 62, claimed in a Friday interview he was making a “joke” when he complained that his boozy $78 airport dinnerwas reflective of the everyday struggles American families face amid ongoing inflation.

The political commentator said he was in a state of “sticker shock” when he was handed the bill for his hamburger and a tall glass of whiskey, which he imagined ordinary people experience when they visit the grocery store.

“But the problem with the tweet — which I wrote so stupidly — was that it made it seem like I was oblivious to something that is blindingly obvious: that an upper-middle-class journalist having a bourbon at an airport is a lot different than a family living paycheck to paycheck,” Brooks told William Brangham on PBS.

“I was insensitive. I screwed up. I should not have written that tweet. I probably should not write any tweets … I made a mistake. It was stupid.”

>> @nytdavidbrooks: "I screwed up. I should not have written that tweet. I probably should not write any tweets." #NeverTweet pic.twitter.com/NECpWRA1pG

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 23, 2023

The tweet — which attracted more than 36.4 million views since Wednesday — spurred a frenzy of memes and ridicule aimed at the columnist, whom many accused of being out of touch.

“This meal just cost me $78 at Newark Airport. This is why Americans think the economy is terrible,” Brooks wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, alongside a photo of a burger, fries, and a honey-colored liquid on the rocks. 

The owner of 1911 Smoke House BBQ, the in-airport restaurant where Brooks bought the costly dinner, said the journalist would have had to have downed two doubles to rack up the hefty bill.

The tweet — which attracted more than 36.4 million views since Wednesday — spurred a frenzy of memes and ridicule aimed at the columnist, whom many accused of being out of touch. Brian Stelter, /X

Thousands posted their own versions of Brooks’ tweet — many of which included bottles of liquor and a measly side, ranging from deli meat slices to their pet dog’s kibble.

Author Joyce Carol Oates, 85, notably piled on with several variations of the joke.

“(bar bill: $66. food bill: $12. tip: $0 N Y Times expense account),” she wrote on X.

The owner of 1911 Smoke House BBQ, the in-airport restaurant where Brooks bought the costly dinner, said the journalist would have had to have downed two doubles to rack up the hefty bill. Twitter/@ErrataRob

In a follow-up post, Oates shares an image of her yawning cat next to an empty bowl.

“this disgusting meal cost me $7.98, the food was awful & there wasn’t nearly enough of it which is why Biden is so unpopular,” she mocked.