Joe Biden tells radio host he 'ain’t black' if he couldn't choose between Biden and Trump
22 May 2020, 19:47
Joe Biden told a radio host he “ain’t black” if he had a problem deciding between him and Donald Trump in the US election during a tense interview.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee clashed with prominent black radio personality Charlamagne Tha God over his potential running mate.
The host pressed Mr Biden on reports that he is considering Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar, who is white, to be vice president.He told him black voters "saved your political life in the primaries" and "have things they want from you".
"I'm not acknowledging anybody who is being considered," Mr Biden said. "But I guarantee you there are multiple black women being considered. Multiple."
A Biden aide then sought to end the interview, prompting the host to say: "You can't do that to black media."
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Mr Biden responded "I do that to black media and white media" and said his wife needed to use the television studio.
He then added: "If you've got a problem figuring out whether you're for me or for Trump, then you ain't black."
Charlamagne the God replied: “It has nothing to do with Trump. I want something for my community.”
"Take a look at my record," Mr Biden said, citing his work as senator to extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
"The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People) has endorsed me every time I've run. Come on, take a look at my record."
Mr Biden has emphasised his relationship with black voters throughout his campaign, noting throughout the primary campaign his dependence on black voters in his Delaware Senate races and his partnership as former president Barack Obama's top lieutenant.
The comments made at the end of the Breakfast Club interview were in jest, but let’s be clear about what the VP was saying: he was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump’s any day. Period.
— Symone D. Sanders (@SymoneDSanders) May 22, 2020
Black voters resurrected Mr Biden's campaign with a second place finish in the Nevada caucuses and a resounding win in the South Carolina primary after he had started with embarrassing finishes in overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire.
Older black voters especially sided with him over a wide Democratic field that included several black candidates, including Kamala Harris.
The California senator is widely believed to be a contender for the vice-presidential nomination.
Other prominent black women named include Georgia voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams, Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Florida representative Val Demings, Ohio representative Marcia Fudge and Susan Rice, Mr Obama's former ambassador to the UN.
Symone Sanders, a senior adviser to Mr Biden, said later that his parting comment in the interview was "made in jest".
"Let's be clear about what the VP was saying," Ms Sanders tweeted. "He was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump's any day. Period."