NewsNation host Chris Cuomo addressed accusations of racism on Tuesday following his recent commentary on Kamala Harris, whom he criticized during an episode of The Chris Cuomo Project on October 22.
Cuomo’s remarks came as Harris gears up for the final days of the 2024 presidential campaign against former President Donald Trump.
Cuomo’s original comments about Harris included references to her being “neither a ‘godsend’ nor ‘black female Jesus,’” and he accused some Harris supporters of trying to shield her from criticism.
Chris Cuomo: “Harris is not a godsend, alright? You people didn’t even like her six months ago. Now, all of a sudden, she’s black female Jesus, the way Obama was black Jesus. And let me tell you something: he had a lot more going for him than Kamala Harris does.”@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/vhlC26smr6
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) October 22, 2024
Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement
In response to backlash, he clarified his statements on Tuesday, defending his criticism as political analysis rather than racially motivated.
“I am being accused of being racist by some unserious people because I said Kamala Harris went from being someone ‘you people don’t like and never talked about’ to being ‘black female Jesus,’” Cuomo stated. “All right, where am I coming from on that? … ‘You people’ isn’t black people — I would never do that. I am an ally of the black cause in America … the idea that I was saying ‘you people’ about blacks is not true.”
Cuomo further explained that his remarks were intended to critique Democratic Party dynamics rather than race. “Blacks aren’t the people who motivated Kamala Harris’s candidacy — party officials are, who believe that they couldn’t pass over a black female and hew to their diversity-by-identity mandate,” he said.
Cuomo questioned why Harris had not been positioned as the Democratic nominee initially, especially when Biden’s popularity waned. “Because Harris wasn’t popular with them, that’s why,” Cuomo asserted.
FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest
Polling data from FiveThirtyEight indicated that Harris’s popularity was under 40% before she launched her campaign in July, following Biden’s endorsement.
Cuomo contended that Harris’s support base seemed more reactive than enthusiastic.
He also pointed to criticism he’s received, suggesting that his critiques are being portrayed as “empowering Hitler” by certain Harris supporters.
“Kamala Harris is not a godsend. Of course, Trump isn’t a godsend, but Kamala Harris isn’t a godsend. She is not beyond criticism,” Cuomo stated, arguing that open discussion on her candidacy is essential for the Democratic Party’s success. “What are you talking about? That is not how you win, okay, by trying to punish or censor or degrade anyone who questions what you’re about.”
Cuomo’s comments, initially reported by the Daily Caller News Foundation, quickly went viral on X, formerly known as Twitter, gaining significant attention and reaching three million views.
However, reactions were mixed, with some accusing Cuomo of “racism and misogyny.”
Others took issue with his use of the phrase “you people,” interpreting it as a comment directed at the Black community.
Polling data from RealClearPolitics reveals that Trump is narrowly leading Harris in several battleground states, highlighting the importance of each candidate’s approach in the final days of the campaign.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.