Comedian and political commentator D.L. Hughley criticized NFL star Saquon Barkley and other Philadelphia Eagles players for attending a White House event hosted by President Donald Trump, accusing them of being out of touch with Black issues.
In a segment on TMZ [1] Live Tuesday, Hughley expressed his disapproval of Black athletes who accepted Trump’s invitation to the White House to celebrate the Eagles’ championship.
President Trump and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley in the Oval Office.
Matching and all pic.twitter.com/NPELVMdLKI [2]
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 28, 2025 [3]
Hughley singled out Barkley, claiming he could tell by looking at him that he is “indifferent” to the concerns of the Black community. During the interview, Hughley said:
“Any Black person who visits President Donald Trump in the White House doesn’t understand or care about Black issues.”
He criticized Barkley specifically, suggesting the running back’s demeanor indicates a disconnect from racial and social justice concerns.
When asked whether the honor of visiting the White House can be separated from the individual who occupies it, Hughley responded firmly: “No.” He argued that Trump has “tainted the honor” and is “not an honorable man.”
Hughley further accused the president of disrespecting Black Americans, referencing Trump’s past actions, including full-page newspaper ads taken out in 1989 calling for the death penalty against the Central Park Five—five Black and Hispanic teenagers who were later exonerated.
He also claimed Trump was “erasing” historical Black figures such as Harriet Tubman and Jackie Robinson, though he did not specify what actions he was referring to.
D.L. Hughley says any Black person who visits President Donald Trump in the White House doesn’t understand or care about Black issues … specifically tearing into Saquon Barkley for going with the Eagles to the president’s residence.
Read the full story: https://t.co/MK6LcH991u [4] pic.twitter.com/qwc7wrpC0B [5]
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) April 29, 2025 [6]
Barkley, who recently joined the Eagles, defended his decision to attend the White House ceremony by stating he was there out of respect for the Office of the President.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown did not attend the event, although no public statements were made about their reasons for opting out.
TMZ noted that Barkley’s prominence likely made him a primary target for Hughley’s comments. Barkley has not publicly responded to the criticism. Representatives for Barkley did not return a request for comment.
