African American figures slam Biden on 'you ain't black' comments

Former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE came under scrutiny from both ends of the political spectrum Friday for saying that if you support President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE “then you ain’t black.”

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee made the remark to host Charlamagne Tha God on the popular radio show “The Breakfast Club” earlier in the day.

Katrina Pierson, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign and leader of its Black Voices for Trump group, was one of the first to weigh in.

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“White liberal elitists have continuously dictated which black Americans are allowed to come to the table and have a voice,” she said.

Sen. Tim ScottTimothy (Tim) Eugene ScottHouse Republicans hopeful about bipartisan path forward on police reform legislation Rand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill MORE of South Carolina, the only black Republican in the Senate, noted that 1.3 million black people voted for Trump in the 2016 general election.

“This morning, Joe Biden told every single one of us we ‘ain’t black,’ ” Scott tweeted. “I’d say I’m surprised, but it’s sadly par for the course for Democrats to take the black community for granted and brow beat those that don’t agree.”

1.3 million black Americans already voted for Trump in 2016. This morning, Joe Biden told every single one of us we “ain’t black.” I’d say I’m surprised, but it’s sadly par for the course for Democrats to take the black community for granted and brow beat those that don’t agree.

— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) May 22, 2020

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GOP Senate candidate John James blasted the remark as “pathetic” and “hurtful,” saying in a video posted on Twitter: “You’re embarrassing yourself, Mr. Vice President.”

Vice President @JoeBiden ‘s latest quote is both pathetic & hurtful. Challenging millions on their blackness is condescending. The GOP was started to oppose slavery. I have the right to think and vote for myself along with all other Americans, including black Americans. pic.twitter.com/RRURX1eMbY

— John James (@JohnJamesMI) May 22, 2020

Biden later said he regretted making the comment.

“I shouldn’t have been such a wise guy. I shouldn’t have been so cavalier,” he said on call with black business leaders.

In a statement to Mediate, Charlamagne pointed to a response he gave Biden during the interview, where he said: “It don’t have nothing to do with Trump. It has to do with the fact that I want something for my community.”

Biden polls well among black voters, much like other Democratic presidential nominees in previous elections, and the interview on “The Breakfast Club” included a discussion about whether the Democratic Party was taking that support for granted, especially since many younger black voters voted for Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) during the presidential primary before he dropped out.

Some progressives seized on Biden’s remarks, saying establishment Democrats have a tendency to expect support from minority voters but don’t fight for the issues they care about.

“This is the natural consequence of the reductive view of race & politics being pushed by the ‘identity is destiny’ crowd,” tweeted Briahna Joy Gray, Sanders’s former campaign press secretary and staunch critic of Biden.

I see Biden has picked up on establishment media talking points.
This is the natural consequence of the reductive view of race & politics being pushed by the “identity is destiny” crowd.
Click Here: cheap sydney roosters jerseyCharming. https://t.co/hZw0tUkoly

— Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy) May 22, 2020

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Biden adviser Symone SandersSymone SandersThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden seeks to tamp down controversy over remarks about black support African American figures slam Biden on ‘you ain’t black’ comments Biden regrets remarks about black support: ‘I shouldn’t have been such a wise guy’ MORE, who said the former vice president’s comments were made in “jest,” sparked criticism from writer Roxane Gay.

“He doesn’t get to ‘jest’ like that,” Gay tweeted. “It wasn’t funny. It played into the long standing notion that the black vote is uncritical and guaranteed and the notion that blackness is mutable and defined by whiteness.”

Ma’am. What? He doesn’t get to “jest” like that. It wasn’t funny. It played into the long standing notion that the black vote is uncritical and guaranteed and the notion that blackness is mutable and defined by whiteness. https://t.co/wk1uWA5bzM

— roxane gay (@rgay) May 22, 2020

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Biden’s comments even drew ire from the likes of rapper Diddy, who said black voters are not guaranteed to turn out on Nov. 3 in support of Biden.

“Aye bruh @JoeBiden I already told you the #BlackVoteAintFree,” he tweeted. 

Aye bruh @JoeBiden I already told you the #BlackVoteAintFree pic.twitter.com/6ZoIfGFcHR

— Diddy (@Diddy) May 22, 2020

Updated at 4:53 p.m.