Opinion
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Donald Trump has once more ascended to the office of the President of the United States, doing so as a convicted felon, which has all but emboldened not only his base but also the cronies he’s surrounded himself with. In the past few days and earlier times, we’ve seen stalwarts of the Hip-Hop community pledge allegiance to the incoming regime of Donald Trump, but what exactly does that mean for the Hip-Hop community at large?
Donald Trump has enjoyed an almost surreal connection with Hip-Hop dating back to his days as a flashy New York business magnate with stars of the culture rapping favorably about him in the decades before he became president in 2016. Despite cozying up to the mogul, Trump has demonstrated disdain for Black people as many saw in 1989. At the time, Trump took out a full-page ad in one of New York’s biggest news publications in an attack on the Exonerated Five (formerly the Central Park 5), five teenagers who were wrongly convicted of the sexual assault of jogger Trisha Meili.
It is a shameful display of cowardice and an odd worship of power that only seeks to serve Trump instead of rightly critiquing him for his faults.
As recently as last September, Donald Trump stuck to his guns regarding the Exonerated Five during the presidential debate in September against Vice President Kamala Harris. In the debate, Trump confusingly said, “They admitted, they said they pled guilty and I said, ‘well, if they pled guilty they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately. And they pled guilty, then they pled not guilty.”
Source: Steven Ferdman / Getty
The Exonerated Five never pled guilty nor did anyone die in the case yet the mainstream media, illustrating the tepid coverage of Trump during his presidential campaign, barely covered how often Trump would speak gross mistruths and stumbling statements. While that moment should’ve been the time that the Hip-Hop community broke with Trump, he still managed to maintain support from Rap figures including Waka Flocka, Kodak Black, Azealia Banks, Fivio Foreign, Sheff G, Lil Pump, and others. Naturally, none of these individuals pointed to any actionable policies offered by the incoming Trump administration but praised his wealth and personality and the fact he pardoned several individuals.
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The pardons, as some have come to learn, were thought to come with the perk of unyielding fealty to Trump. Lil Wayne, Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, Death Row Records co-founder Michael “Harry O” Harris, and the aforementioned Kodak Black were all pardoned in Trump’s first term. The politically astute framed these moves for what they seemingly were, a deposit to get long-term support down the road for a second run at the White House.
Ice Cube, who has been mentioned among Black entertainers who have either softened their views of Trump or aligned themselves with him, was early in taking negative shots via his 1990 video for “Who’s The Mack” by superimposing the words “Broke Mack” over Trump’s face near the end of the video. However, Cube later spoke admirably of Trump, stating in 2016 that “he looks like a boss.”
The disappointment of Vice President Kamala Harris’ narrow loss to Trump still hangs over the heads of many and the insult to injury continued up until the eve of the inauguration. Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy reportedly all performed over the weekend at the first-ever “Crypto Ball,” a gathering to celebrate Donald Trump and the cryptocurrency industry.
Unsurprisingly, Trump upped the grift by launching a new crypto token which is a clear sign of the president’s embrace of the industry and signs that he’s playing by new rules. Snoop, who has previously been critical of Trump recently as last year, somewhat addressed his connection with the Crypto Ball via a cryptic social media jab and Soulja Boy flat-out admitted that he was only in it for the money. Nelly was also named as an upcoming performer, along with country star Carrie Underwood, beer specialist Kid Rock, and The Village People, among others.
Make no mistake, the culture has given Ross, Snoop, Soulja, and many of the aforementioned Hip-Hop entertainers more than enough grief but to interpolate the great words of Kendrick Lamar, it doesn’t feel like it’s enough. Yes, there has been visible disappointment in these figures but it hasn’t adequately stopped these occurrences from happening. There seems to be an easy answer to this.
The money, so it seems, is what some in Hip-Hop (and music overall) seem to respect far more than themselves. Forget the broken promises and shady alliances. What of Trump’s comments about Black men and women, or the lack of anything resembling solid policy as it relates to the communities these entertainers hail from? It is a shameful display of cowardice and an odd worship of power that only seeks to serve Trump instead of rightly critiquing him for his faults.
Despite the heaviness some are feeling, there are several ways the Hip-Hop community can weather the storm.
Civic Literacy Is Sorely Needed
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A study published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in February 2024 noted that from a survey of 2,000 registered voters, 70% of Americans would fail a basic civic literacy quiz. The dearth of knowledge around civic participation and how to lessen the gap has been the aim of organizations like the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and the National Civic League. Just this past election cycle, we were inundated with several examples of the common American voter not knowing how the electoral system works, what the three branches of government are, and what functions the chambers of Congress perform.
An educated electorate is an empowered one and it is something that should be urged beyond election cycles and promoted at the state and local level. The political machinations of certain states within the union are consistently at play with little in the way of blueprints to prevent being duped by hopeful politicians. Those of us of a certain age might remember taking civics in school, and those of us with more seasoning on our bones should also recall Schoolhouse Rock! which used music to educate young viewers of the processes of government. If we can return to explaining the nuances of politics with the right amount of flair that appeals to all ages, then we can assume many won’t feel as blindsided as they might now.
Find Your Tribe & Organize
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The Trump administration is most certainly riding a wave with the Republican Party in lockstep and owning all three branches of the federal government. Some might find the task of combating any ill-doings of the Trump White House daunting, which is why an effort to combat the incoming wave of inanity sure to come is necessary.
Groups such as Democracy Forward, headed by Skye Perryman, are part of a growing number of left-leaning organizations that last November launched a multi-organizational coalition titled Democracy 2025 in stark defiance of the Project 2025 that some believe is in play now that Trump is back in power. Other groups such as the Pro-Democracy Campaign work on a multi-state level to help individuals strategize and organize in their respective regions to help shape what they want to see happen on the national level.
No matter how one votes, the criticism of Trump and his administration should be consistently factual and unrelenting in its intensity.
The heaviest lift will be to engage those affected by the policies of the incoming administration regardless of political affiliation because those who pulled the lever for Trump are also woefully unprepared for what’s to come. That said, it is best to start small and gather with those who share your vision of an equitable future where all are treated fairly and equally. This might look like starting small at your local libraries or places of worship, or it might involve those grassroots organizations that could use volunteers to advance the messages you want to be heard.
Message In The Music
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Hip-Hop music and politics aren’t necessarily bedfellows but it would be false to say the two haven’t intersected in the past five decades. During the “Golden Era” of the 1980s, several groups platformed political positions and voiced the concerns of the downtrodden and oppressed. Hip-Hop music, at least on the mainstream level, has largely moved away from that much to the detriment of the eager ears of the youth.
If there was ever a time that Hip-Hop was considered the voice of the people, now would be the time to see that emerge. No, we can’t expect rappers and entertainers to be perfect in their execution of political messaging, nor can we expect a barrage of “FDT” tracks (RIP Nipsey Hussle). Several bold acts on the underground level probably won’t be adding their voices to the flurry of conversations to come but some do speak the will of the people. If those acts are supported and encouraged to continue that line of creativity, perhaps some can provide a measure of hope for the coming generations that democracy can thrive in the face of oligarchs and autocrats.
Sadly, it’s tough to give concrete examples as most underground rappers have only spoken about the conflict in the Gaza region and America’s hand in the matter. Others are addressing the flood of violence that plagues Black communities but in recent times, it is a rarity to hear Hip-Hop acts fully aim the power of the music at dismantling the rise of MAGA and shouting down the divisiveness that only seems to grow by the day.
Yet there were glimmers of hope with Eminem famously taking shots at Trump in his freestyles and songs along with appearing onstage alongside President Barack Obama at a Detroit Rally for Vice President Harris. Adding to the voices of disagreement for Trump were the likes of T.I., Megan Thee Stallion, and Cardi B. The culture will need many more acts to take a similarly bold stance and show up beyond election cycle celebrity appearances.
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In closing, Hip-Hop and the community overall have an opportunity to change the course of conversations regarding politics, democracy, and the power of the vote. The lines are drawn but this isn’t a time to cower in fear or render ourselves inactive out of frustration. No matter how one votes, the criticism of Donald Trump and his administration should be consistently factual and unrelenting in its intensity. It is the only way we’ll be heard and digging deep into our reserve could inspire the next generation to stand up against any regime that seeks to quell their fire.
As the years roll on, Hip-Hop Wired, along with our Urban One family, will continue to add ideas and carefully present solutions because we know Donald Trump will almost certainly give us reasons to speak up. We’ll need each other more than ever.
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Photo: Getty
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January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol was attacked by a mob of largely white domestic terrorists operating under the orders of Donald Trump as part of his “Stop The Steal” movement. On the fourth anniversary of the heinous attack on democracy, many on X are remembering the January 6 insurrection just as Trump is gearing up for a second term in the White House.
The events of January 6 were an example of how unchecked power in the White House could be dangerous, and how the lack of checks and balances might essentially doom our democracy. Under Trump’s guidance and fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories from the darkest corners of the Web, the mob of Trump supporters swarmed the Capitol under the veil of misguided justice in the name of their leader.
The group, sparked by politically motivated bloodlust, was sent to attack Vice President Mike Pence for failing to block the confirmation and there were clear intentions to harm any elected official who was a perceived enemy of Trump. This mob felt ordained to carry out Trump’s justice as wayward vigilantes fighting under a false flag.
Given the level of meddling Trump engaged in on the state level regarding losing votes over what he thought would be shoo-ins for his reelection, the weaponizing of his base to enact a coup of sorts should have had its day in court before winning the election last fall. Even members of Trump’s party sought a path where the president-elect would face the facts of his actions.
However, procedural delays, political hand-wringing, and an unprecedented move by the United States Supreme Court empowered Trump and will most likely allow him and the January 6 insurrectionists to sidestep justice unscathed. The embers of hope that Trump would have his day in court were effectively snuffed out after Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith filed to have felony charges against Trump dropped.
The election interference matter Trump has been accused of was marred by the typical tug-of-war of politics, with Trump supporters stating that the DOJ was on a “witch hunt” and a true denial of any sort of accountability from Trump. It is sobering that Donald Trump yet avoided penalties for his actions yet again, and the populace at large is bracing for another four years under Trump’s reign.
On X, formerly Twitter, many are remembering the January 6 insurrection attack, and the reactions are centered on the truth of what happened, not centering on any political side.
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Source: United States Attorney’s Office / DOJ
A few years ago, four men were brutally butchered to death in a park in Long Island, New York. Now, a female participant in the murder has been sentenced to five decades in prison for her role in the grisly killings.
The New York Post is reporting that MS-13 member Leniz “Diablita” Escobar has just been slapped with a 50-year prison stint for luring the unsuspecting men to the park where other MS-13 members waited to murder the men for disrespecting their gang in April of 2017. U.S. Judge Joseph Bianco said that Escobar aka “Diablita” (Little Devil) “enthusiastically” set the men up to be murdered by her cohorts after they posted social media content mocking the hand signs that MS-13 uses to represent their gang.
Only 17 years old at the time of the murders, the now 24-year-old Escobar expresses regret for her actions as she faces a lengthy prison sentence for the four deaths she helped spur on.
The New York Post reports:
“All I can do is hurt,” she said tearfully. “Every breath reminds me that they are not here and their families are in pain. If I could trade places with them and take away that pain, I would.”
Escobar was only 17 when she convinced other members of the MS-13 gang to kill Miguel Lopez, 20, Justin Llivicura, 16, and Jefferson Villalobos and Jose Tigre, both 18, by showing them social media pictures of the victims supposedly mocking the group with gang signs.
She felt “personally offended” that one of the victims had worn items typically associated with the gang even though he was not a member,” Assistant US Attorney Megan Farrell said.
She then lured the young men to the park under the pretense of smoking marijuana with them, according to Farrell.
After her fellow gang members hacked the men to death with machetes (MS-13’s preferred weapon of choice), Escobar not only bragged about her role in the murderous plot but even told them to rid themselves of the evidence and do what they could to evade authorities. It gets worse.
During the trial two years ago, one witness testified that Escobar smiled while the victims were killed and even licked their blood off her lips when it got on her shirt.
“She was one of the most culpable people,” Farrell said Tuesday. “Without her, these murders would not have occurred.”
Though relatives of the victims felt she deserved the death penalty, prosecutors argued for a 65-year sentence before the judge settled on a 50-year bid.
Interestingly enough, Escobar has used her time in prison to better herself as she’s not only earned her high school degree but also leads a Bible study group behind bars. Bible Study with la “Diablita.” Go figure.
Don’t be surprised if Donald Trump references this particular case going forward on the campaign trail as the man revels in hate, division and fear mongering. Just sayin’.
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Donald Trump appeared on a livestream hosted by Adin Ross to boost his presidential campaign, but social media wasn’t too impressed.On Monday (August 5), Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump had a unique event on his campaign schedule. He appeared as the special guest on a live stream hosted by streamer Adin Ross on the Kick platform, which reportedly drew an audience of over 580,000. “Today is going to be the most important stream I’ve ever done,” he said to start the interview, which was held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump walked in to 50 Cent’s hit “Many Men”, which he adopted after the thwarted attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania last month. Ross sported a “Make America Great Again” hat as he asked Trump various softball questions on supposed liberal bias in schools (“Even the teachers have been brainwashed, Trump said) to allowing Trump to give one-word reactions to images of politicians such as California Governor Gavin Newsome (who Trump called “New-scum”) to Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The interview, which lasted 90 minutes, also featured Trump repeating his attacks on Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris including his racist comments about her Black and Indian heritage. Trump also praised Ross’ deferential treatment of him, and said that his youngest son Barron was a “big fan”. Ross also brought up the racketeering case against Young Thug and asked if there was a way he could be treated fairly. “He’s gotta be treated fair,” Trump replied. Ross then gave Trump a Rolex watch valued at $300,000. The two then went outside as Ross gifted Trump a Tesla Cybertruck with a custom wrap featuring the photo of Trump after he was shot at during the Butler rally.
Ross has a highly controversial history that includes platforming white supremacist Nick Fuentes and being buddies with alleged sex trafficker Andrew Tate. The 23-year-old followed Tate to the Kick platform after being banned from Twitch for using homophobic slurs in addition to racist and anti-Semitic slurs (Ross is Jewish) and showing pornographic images and videos during his streams. Social media users derided Ross’ interview, noting he hadn’t reached the 1 million viewers he claimed it would get. They also questioned his gifts to Trump, speculating he might’ve violated campaign finance rules.“The evidence suggests that Ross made or sought to make an illegal contribution, so he could face civil penalties,” said campaign watchdog Brendan Fisher.
Check out more reactions to the interview below.
1. Elgin Barrett Eugene Smith III
2. Alex Shulz
3. PELICANS_ENTHUSIAST
4. Matt, Dad Hat Enthusiast
5. Wild Geerters
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The gworls are mad, and no I am not referring to the ones we love.
On Tuesday (July 30), after breaking the internet with an overwhelming amount of support following President Biden’s nomination, vice president and presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, held her first presidential rally in Atlanta with the support of an array of artists including Quavo, Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion alongside lawmakers Stacey Abrams and Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.
Megan Thee Stallion brought the heat to Vice President Kamala Harris’ first presidential campaign rally, coining the slogan “Hotties for Harris” and sending conservatives into a meltdown. Her performance at the Georgia State Convocation Center was a far cry from her headlining set at State Farm Arena earlier this month. This time, she traded her shimmering leotard for a sleek blue pantsuit, dialed down the twerking, and censored her lyrics. Despite these adjustments, she still had her back-up dancers and a setlist featuring hits like “Savage,” “Girls in the Hood,” and “Body.”
“We’re about to make history!” shouted Megan Thee Stallion while rapping her Grammy-winning hit “Savage,” wearing a Democrat blue suit and a tie with a cropped white shirt revealing her midriff. Visible from the stage was also a sign that read “Hotties For Harris.”
Despite her conservative approach, the haters took to the internet to share their unsolicited opinions, with one right-wing commentator taking to X (formerly Twitter) to label the left-wing movement as “pure ghetto trash.” He continued with a list of derogatory movements supposedly supporting the presumptive Democratic nominee: “H*es for Harris, Hoodrats for Harris, Single Black Momalas for Kamala, White Dudes for Harris.”
The responses were swift and scathing, rightly calling out the racism and hypocrisy in his tone. “Trump has Kid Rock,” one reply noted. “What’s the difference?” Another chimed in, “Using racist inflammatory language to get attention as a grown man is WEIRD.” The misogyny and double standards couldn’t be more glaring.
Trump took a moment from berating his supporters and dodging court dates to chime into the conversation, further spurring his supporters, saying: “Crazy Kamala Harris, voted the WORST Vice President in American history, needed a concert to bring people into the Atlanta arena, and they started leaving 5 minutes into her speech,” the former president wrote on TruthSocial. “I don’t need concerts or entertainers, I just have to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
While this is expected from the weirdos on the right, what was alarming was the continued disrespect towards both Meg Thee Stallion and VP Harris by Black men. The rolled-up edge community and yellow-teethed brothers united and stepped out of their mother’s basements to join the pathetic party of men throwing vitriol at two successful Black women at the top of their field. From slut-shaming to their continued troll method of writing “Free Tory,” the misogynoir hate train was in full swing.
It’s time to address the pervasive misogyny and misogynoir targeting Megan Thee Stallion, Vice President Kamala Harris, and countless other women. Malcolm X once said, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.” This stark reality is evident in the disdain aimed at these prominent figures. The statistics are equally alarming: According to the CDC, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. African American women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence, facing rates significantly higher than their white counterparts proving that this abuse isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a societal failure.
Megan and VP Harris symbolize resilience and success, yet they are subjected to demeaning rhetoric that seeks to undermine their achievements and humanity. This behavior perpetuates a toxic culture that devalues all women, especially Black women. To create a more equitable society, we must stand against these injustices by elevating women’s voices, celebrating their accomplishments, and confronting discriminatory attitudes.
By stopping misogyny and misogynoir, we not only protect and honor the dignity of women like Megan Thee Stallion and VP Kamala Harris, but we also create a more just and equitable society for all women. The fight against these harmful biases is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human rights imperative.
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The sister and niece of Barack Obama were tear-gassed during protests in Kenya’s capital city during a live broadcast.
Protesters filled the streets of Nairobi on Tuesday (June 25), in fierce opposition to a new tax policy levied by the government after a controversial vote. The protests became more tense and violent after the military was summoned, and the elder half-sister of former President Barack Obama, activist Auma Obama, and his niece, Akinyi Obama-Manners, were caught up in a wave of tear gas deployed by police as they were being interviewed by CNN’s international correspondent Larry Madowo. The moment was captured live as Obama explained that she was compelled to take part in the protests because “young Kenyans are demonstrating for their rights.”
“I can’t even see anymore. We are being tear-gassed…” Obama continued as the entire group was subdued by the wave of tear gas, forcing them to leave the scene. “This is one of the most heavy military responses I have seen,” Madowo said on-air, noting the heavy military response to the unarmed protesters turning the streets of Nairobi into “what appears to be a war zone.”
The interview resumed over a minute later, as the 64-year-old activist told Meadow, “I can’t believe that these young people are just trying to demonstrate for their rights… and we are being tear-gassed. We have flags and banners, nothing else.” She went on to describe how the new tax policies – which include a 16% sales tax on bread and a 25% tax increase on cooking oil – would particularly hurt the younger generation of Kenyans. “Over 50% of our population who are under 35 have no jobs. We cannot tax them when they have no jobs,” Obama said.
Protesters would seize access to parts of Kenya’s parliament building at the height of the protests. However, the protests would result in 23 people reported killed by the police, with 50 people alleged to have been abducted by security forces, according to Faith Odhiambo, the president of the Law Society of Kenya. President Rufo addressed the nation and declared that he would not sign the bill in the wake of the violence. “Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this finance bill, I concede, and therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn,” he said in a speech aired on Wednesday (June 26).
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Donald Trump’s comments on the campaign trail have raised alarms from those noting his “unwell” behavior and media’s reluctance to call it out.
The mounting collection of bizarre remarks by Donald Trump on the presidential campaign trail has caused observers to note how “deeply unwell” he is and to question why more media outlets and figures aren’t calling for an examination of his mental faculties. “(But) Trump is obviously unfit—and something is profoundly wrong with a political environment in which he can now say almost anything, no matter how weird,” writes Tom Nichols for The Atlantic in a column, pointing to Trump’s most recent rally this past weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada, which left many observers aghast.
At that campaign rally, Trump went into a rambling rant about electric batteries and sharks: “So I said, let me ask you a question, and he said, nobody ever asked this question and it must be because of MIT, my relationship to MIT. Very smart. He goes, I say, what would happen if the boat sank from its weight? And you’re in the boat and you have this tremendously powerful battery and the battery is now underwater and there’s a shark that’s approximately 10 yards over there, by the way, a lot of shark attacks lately, do you notice that?”
“I am not a psychiatrist, and I am not diagnosing Trump with anything. I am, however, a man who has lived on this Earth for more than 60 years, and I know someone who has severe emotional problems when I see them played out in front of me over and over,” Nichols wrote, adding: “The 45th president is deeply unwell. It is long past time for Americans, including those in public life, to recognize his inability to serve as the 47th.” EJ Montini of the Arizona Republic has also called out the media’s reluctance in a column, writing: “Too many respectable journalists and respectable journalistic institutions have allowed the fear of appearing biased to prevent them from being honest.” He cited the Las Vegas remarks as “the kind of thing that would be worrisome if done by an elderly member of your family.”
As the presumptive Republican nominee continues to campaign, there seems to be no end to the comments. In a meeting with Republicans at Capitol Hill on Thursday, Trump stated that “Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city,” while also declaring – again – an affinity for fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter.
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Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) is having a terrible week when it comes to his tryouts to be the running mate of convicted felon and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. On two separate networks, CNN and MSNBC, Donalds saw his hypocrisy get called out to his face.
In case you’re unaware, recently while in Philadelphia, Donalds went full Uncle Tom and infamously said that Black people were better off under Jim Crow. That would be the same Jim Crow era where Blacks in Southern states were disenfranchised (read: they couldn’t even vote), routinely lynched for the most minor of offenses and pretty much lived in terror for simply trying to live.
“You see, during Jim Crow, the Black family was together. During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative — Black people have always been conservative-minded — but more Black people voted conservatively,” Donalds said, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
As expected, and after a rebuke from Democrats including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Donalds insisted his words were taken out of context.
Considering his documented tomfoolery, booking Donalds already gets you the side eye, but at least the Black women asking the questions, in this case Joy Reid and Abby Phillip, held his tap dancing feet to the fire.
Let’s start on CNN, where Phillip was first to make Donalds a spokesman for Team Ya Played Yourself. While appearing on CNN’s Newsnight on Wednesday evening (June 5), he conceded that Black people are better off now but insisted that marriage rates were higher for Blacks during Jim Crow, so there’s that. “All I was doing is referring to the time periods when you talk about the historical timelines in America and coinciding with Black families and what their marriage rate in Black families are,” he said.
Yeah, okay, that’s what he meant—#sarcasm. Then Donalds went into suspect GOP talking point mode by claiming Donald Trump’s policies have served Black Americans better than Biden’s, adding, “If you’re actually going to compare economic policies and public policies between the 45th president and 46 president, it’s without question, they were better under the 45th.”
To this, Phillip had to retort. “I’m going to interrupt you on the facts, Congressmen,” she said. “The Black unemployment rate was the lowest in American history under Joe Biden…. The poverty rate for Black people is the lowest under Joe Biden’s [administration]. So you cannot say empirically for Black people that from a financial level things were better under Trump.”
Donalds then started flapping his gums about inflation and wealth that amounted to copping pleas. But the real burn came courtesy of Joy Reid. On Thursday evening (June 6), while on MSNBC’s The Reid Out, Donalds again insisted he was initially misquoted about the Jim Crow comments.
“The stuff that comes up about Jim Crow, and twisting my words saying I was being nostalgic or Jim Crow was good for Black people, that’s all political spin. It’s a lie,” said Donalds. “It’s gaslighting and that’s truly unfortunate.”
Reid then replied with receipts. “Here’s the challenge, Congressman,” she said. “You started out talking about your family, talking about your mom, talking about being raised. And you on your own brought up Jim Crow. In fact, you said Jim Crow three times for emphasis. It wasn’t the media or the Democrats or gaslighters who brought up Jim Crow. It was you. You brought up Jim Crow. So why did you use Jim Crow specifically as your reference? You did that, no one else did that, you did it.”
The conversation continued with Reid pointing out this controversy was Donalds’ own doing, but she saved the real burn for the end of their chat. “Last question, and then I’m going to let you go. One more question,” said Reid. “During Jim Crow, could your family have existed? You are in an interracial marriage. Your wife, and a white conservative activist. Could your family have existed at all during Jim Crow?”
Got ’em.
“No, it could not, and we all know that,” said Donalds. “That’s why I’m blessed to live in America today, as opposed to America during that time. But we cannot ignore the realities of not having fathers in homes. That is important to our Black people today and all people today as we move forward toward a better America.”
Donalds has been getting cooked on social media ever since. You can see for yourself in the gallery. below Be careful, the MAGA cult is foaming at the mouth defending their latest Op of color, respectfully.
15. Also, let’s never forget.
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New York City Mayor Eric Leroy Adams loves feigning like he’s adjacent to Hip-Hop, even if his record shows that just isn’t the case. Nevertheless, Adams recently sat down for an interview with the popular Drink Champs podcast, and the reaction has been less than enthusiastic.
That’s being kind as rapper NORE and his outlet are getting slandered on X (formerly known as Twitter) for platforming the NYPD cop turned Brooklyn Borough President and now NYC Mayor.
Recently, Adams appeared on The Breakfast Club, which was also highly criticized, and he got absolutely cooked by activist, lawyer and political commentator Olayemi Olurin, who called him out on his hypocrisy, noted the racial profiling by NYPD and had him evading her questions. While Olurin is clearly highly familiar with policy (and got harrassed by NYPD brass), we mean no disrespect when we say NORE and his co-host DJ EFN are not on the same intellectual level to challenge Adams on his actions. Not that it should matter, anyway, but we won’t hold our breath when it comes to the likelihood of the Drink Champs crew asking tough questions.
But don’t shoot the messenger, peep the reactions to NYC Mayor Eric Adams on Drink Champs in the gallery.
9. Eric Adams on Drink Champs
Source:Revolt
Eric Adams on Drink Champs eric adams on drink champs
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The former spokesperson for right-wing figure Kyle Rittenhouse is telling all to combat bigotry – and it’s not pretty.
As Kyle Rittenhouse is trying to capitalize on his infamy after being acquitted of shooting three people at a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin to be a conservative voice, a person who was once the spokesperson for him and his family during his criminal trial is now coming forward to expose his true nature. David Hancock, a retired Navy SEAL, dropped a bombshell in a post on X, formerly Twitter on Monday (April 1), detailing how much went into remaking Rittenhouse’s image. Which included getting the middle school dropout a rushed high school diploma.
https://x.com/davehan06/status/1774751376889057282?s=46
“Regarding his online high school diploma, we had to force him to complete the four years of credits in just ten months, which he did using the “Google machine,” Hancock revealed before adding how Rittenhouse also had applied to join the Marines but couldn’t even pass the basic aptitude test. As another user on X, RogerZenAF explained, “The maximum score on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery – the test to get into the military) is 99. The minimum score to join the Marine Corps is 31. Surprising absolutely no one, Kyle Rittenhouse scored “far below” the required minimum.” Rittenhouse would ultimately be barred permanently from joining the Corps after sending in a video of himself stripping an AR-15 unsolicited to recruiters.
The actions of Rittenhouse during and after his trial, who Hancock says “believes he is the show pony we created” soured Hancock about working further with him. “Instead, he squandered a full scholarship to study any subject at any university in the country to become a divisive douchebag and antagonize black Americans on college campuses,” he wrote. “Kyle failed to learn a single thing. He remains the same uneducated, arrogant, and antagonistic individual, incapable of telling the truth.” The 21-year-old was recently booed off the stage at an event at the University of Memphis held by the conservative Turning Point USA group.
Hancock would also issue an apology to one of the men Rittenhouse shot, Paul Prediger aka Gaige Grosskreutz. Prediger was at the Kenosha protests as an ACLU observer with a legal concealed carry permit and medical training, which was in contrast to Rittenhouse and his defense team’s arguments in the 2021 trial.