Former MSNBC host Joy Reid made waves again for controversial comments in which she labeled President Donald Trump, rock sensation Elvis Presley, and other prominent figures as examples of “mediocre white men” who she claims have built their legacies by appropriating black culture or benefiting from systemic bias.
Reid made the remarks during a podcast interview with columnist Wajahat Ali on The Left Hook, in an episode titled “How Mediocre White Men and Their Fragility Are Destroying America.” The discussion focused on their shared belief that American institutions often elevate white figures while ignoring or absorbing the contributions of black Americans.
Critics have since accused Reid of racially divisive rhetoric and double standards, pointing out that similar comments about other racial groups would likely be considered unacceptable in mainstream discourse.
Attacking Trump’s Cultural Agenda
Reid singled out Donald Trump’s recent changes to the Kennedy Center and his proposed overhaul of Smithsonian exhibits as examples of what she described as white conservatives attempting to rewrite history and “sanitize” America’s past.
“They can’t fix the history they did,” Reid claimed. “Their ancestors made this country into a slave hell, but they can clean it up now because they got the Smithsonian.”
Trump’s reforms to the Kennedy Center have included rolling back taxpayer-funded progressive programming, and emphasizing more traditional, patriotic themes. He is expected to host this year’s Kennedy Center Honors and has promised that future cultural events under his administration will focus on “American greatness.”
Targeting Elvis and White Cultural Icons
Reid’s commentary also turned toward Elvis Presley, whom she accused of gaining fame through cultural theft, specifically pointing to his recording of “Hound Dog,” a song first performed by Big Mama Thornton, a black blues singer.
“We black folk gave y’all country music, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, rock and roll,” Reid said. “They couldn’t even invent that, but they have to call a white man ‘The King.’”
While it’s true that many black artists were under-credited in early rock and roll history, Reid’s framing of Presley as merely a thief has drawn criticism for ignoring the nuance of his musical influence.
Rhetoric Draws Criticism
Reid’s sweeping generalizations about white men and her portrayal of entire demographics as culturally inferior have generated backlash, particularly among conservatives, but also among some centrist and liberal commentators who saw the remarks as racially inflammatory and counterproductive.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields responded bluntly: “Joyless Reid is an ungrateful hack who fails to acknowledge her privilege. Whatever remains of her success would only be possible in the United States of America—the same country she degrades for sport.”
Reid has a history of using race as a central theme in her commentary, often attracting both praise and criticism. Her ousting from MSNBC earlier this year came after viewership declines and mounting criticism from across the political spectrum.
Ongoing Culture War Themes
While her defenders argue that she’s calling attention to long-standing inequities in American history and culture, her critics argue that her rhetoric fosters division, demonizes entire groups, and undermines efforts at unity or mutual understanding.
READ NEXT: MSNBC Cuts Joy Reid’s Show
So, the mediocre black racist criticizes well-known white men for being mediocre and makes extravagant 1619 Project-centric claims about everything that this country has become was because of slavery. I think she must be a closet MAGA-Trumpist because she definitely energizes and enflames those of us who know history and have not been mainlining BLM kool-aid their whole lives.
Ironically but predictably, Reid ignores that DEI does for blacks exactly what she is ranting that white skin color supposedly does for whites. Next, Joy will claim blacks invented computers, the space program, the internet, etc etc. She knows Al Gore won’t challenge her. He has claimed he invented the internet but he will let it pass. .
Racism is never okay and we should all call it out when we see it. Reid is a hate filled racist(thankfully not a very smart person). The thing that concerns me is a cable network thought spewing her hate and racism all across the airwaves was necessary. I realize msnbc doesn’t have many viewers left but why would they put pure hate and racism on their scheduled broadcasts? Why?
Please allow Joy her retirement and ignore her gossip. By continuing to provide a platform for her anti-Trump rantings, you are only encouraging her. Let her, and us, rest in peace.
Democrats began pushing the same racist propaganda from the start of the first Obama admin. They started with the DoD, and spread it to other agencies. Trump stopped it, but Biden started it again. Now Trump and his Sec Def have shut it down, for good.
Do a search: DEOMI EOAC – 3000. The Student Guide is “Power and Privilege” It is full of the same racist propaganda that Reid is spouting. It claims that all minorities have been “historically looted” by whites. If a white person works hard, sacrifices, and achieves anything – it is only because “White Privilege” enabled them to cheat minorities out of it.
Around the time my wife was retiring from Federal Civil Service, the Obama crowd had implemented “white privilege” training on DoD Federal Civil Service. Local activists were hired as trainers. During two day sessions, minority employees were told to make lists of every position they ever applied for and did not get (because they lacked training, education, or experience). The trainers told them they had not been hired because of those things, they were victims of “institutionalized racism” and to file EEO complaints against everyone involved in the hiring process. Minorities were given a half day session to file complaints against current and past supervisors. The activist trainers read the complaints aloud, sometimes naming supervisors present in class. Minorities were given names, phone numbers and office locations of people who got the jobs they wanted. Trainers encouraged them to confront people during work hours. Total chaos. Biden had revived it, but thank God it is gone now.
1SG, USA, Ret