President Joe Biden made headlines on Friday when he addressed Black Americans during a White House brunch celebrating Black excellence, during which he highlighted his administration's efforts in job creation and made an awkward quip about future leadership.
Echoing comments for which Donald Trump was previously assailed, Biden touted the creation of over 2 million "Black jobs," while voicing support for Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential ambitions, as The Hill reports.
Speaking to the crowd, Biden emphasized his administration’s commitment to the Black community. He proudly mentioned that, in the past three and a half years, more than 2 million jobs have been created for Black Americans. However, a slip of the tongue during this proclamation led to mixed reactions from the audience.
As he elaborated on the successes of his administration, Biden joked about the "next Black job to be filled," referring to the potential of Harris to become the next president of the United States. Harris, who is running to succeed Biden in the 2024 election, would be the first woman and first female person of color to serve as president.
The crowd’s response to Biden’s comment was varied. While some found humor in the remark, others saw it as ill-timed. The reference came in the wake of previous discussions surrounding race, jobs, and immigration that have shaped much of the national conversation.
Biden’s comment recalled an incident from a debate during former President Donald Trump’s tenure, where Trump claimed immigrants were taking jobs from Black Americans. This statement drew significant criticism from various quarters, including leaders of the Black community.
Trump’s controversial statement about "Black jobs" was prominently highlighted during the Democratic National Convention. Michelle Obama and NAACP President Derrick Johnson both made sarcastic references to the former president’s comment, using it to underscore the importance of the Black vote and to push back against what they said was divisive rhetoric.
Johnson, during the convention, introduced himself by declaring that he was there to "do my Black job," a nod to Trump's earlier statement. This phrase has since been echoed by many within the Black community as a form of resistance to such characterizations. At the White House event, Biden’s tone shifted as he condemned a false claim that Trump had made earlier in the week regarding Haitian migrants. Trump had claimed that these migrants were responsible for an influx of issues, a statement Biden strongly rejected.
The president used the platform to emphasize the plight of Haitian Americans, particularly in the context of their experiences with immigration and discrimination. Biden noted that the Haitian community has faced undue challenges and is under attack. "It's simply wrong," Biden said, referring to the false claims circulating about Haitian migrants. He urged the nation to reject such rhetoric and reiterated that "there's no place in America" for such divisive behavior. He also called for action to address the issues affecting this community.
Throughout his speech, Biden underlined the importance of the Black community in supporting his political career, stressing that their continued backing was crucial. He assured the audience that he has been and will continue to be a president who stands by Black Americans.
"The Black community has always had my back, and I've always had yours," Biden remarked, drawing applause from those in attendance. This statement served as a reminder of the long-standing relationship between Biden and his supporters within the Black community.
The brunch also served as a platform for Biden to voice his support for Vice President Harris’s presidential aspirations. Harris, if elected in November, would make history as the first woman and first female person of color to hold the nation’s highest office.
Biden’s endorsement of Harris comes at a time when the nation is increasingly focused on issues of diversity and representation. Harris’s campaign has garnered attention from across the political spectrum, and Biden’s support could be a pivotal factor in her bid.
