Presidential contender Joe Biden is facing criticism after saying in an interview Friday morning, “If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.”
Former Vice President Biden appeared on “The Breakfast Club” in an interview with Charlamagne tha God to discuss issues related to the African American community.
After over 15 minutes of Biden fieldling questions from Charlamagne, an aide for Biden intervened to cut off the interview. Charlamagne said, “You can’t do that to black media.”
“I can do that to white media and black media,” Biden responded. “Because my wife has to go on at six o’clock.” Looking at his watch he then said, “Oo. Uh oh. I’m in trouble.”
Charlamagne proceeded to ask Biden to come see him in New York and told him that he’s got more questions for him. “You got more questions?” Biden retorted. “I tell ya, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t Black.”
“It don’t have nothing to do with Trump,” Charlamagne responded. “It has to do with the fact that I want something for my community.”
African American Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., gave his thoughts on Biden’s comments via Twitter.
“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,” Sen. Scott tweeted.
Sen. Scott also appeared on Fox Business on Friday to give his reaction on Biden’s comments. “Wow. That is the most arrogant, condescending comment I’ve heard in a very long time and that’s saying something. For him to make such an arrogant and ridiculous comment to 1.3 million African Americans who voted for Trump. He’s saying that 1.3 million African Americans, that you’re not Black. Who in the heck does he think he is?”
“That is the most arrogant, outrageous comment I’ve heard in a very long time, and I take offense to that,” Sen. Scott concluded.
African American conservative Candace Owens also tweeted a response to Biden’s comments.
“Reminder black people: If you don’t do the bidding for wealthy white Democrats ‘You ain’t black.’ Just imagine the media reaction if President Trump said this to a black person that asked questions about his policies? Or if Trump said ‘ain’t’ when speaking to black people?” Owens tweeted.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas., a Cuban American, also responded to the comments via Twitter. “This is the respect that today’s Dems show African Americans. The other party, the party of Lincoln, welcomes everybody and values you as individuals, free to choose your own faith, your education, your profession, your savings and your life,” Sen. Cruz wrote.
Vice President Biden’s Senior Advisor Symone Sanders defended the remarks on Twitter saying, “The comments made at the end of the Breakfast Club interview were in jest, but let’s be clear about what he was saying: he was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump’s any day.”
Vice President Biden has not yet issued a formal apology for his remarks as of publishing time.
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