Kendall Qualls, a black man running for Congress as a Republican in Minnesota’s third district, says he’s tired of liberals like former Vice President Joe Biden telling black people how to vote.
Qualls is a self described “poor black kid from Harlem,” an Army veteran and a successful businessman who has earned the GOP endorsement in his effort to unseat Democrat Congressman Dean Phillips. Following Biden’s assertion that if you even consider voting for President Donald Trump then “you ain’t black,” Qualls says he’s tired of Democrats thinking they can tell him how to vote.
“According to Joe Biden, if you don’t support his agenda ‘then you ain’t black.’ Well Joe, I’m black, Republican, and am tired of liberals like you telling me who to vote for,” he says, via Twitter.
According to @JoeBiden, if you don’t support his agenda “then you ain’t black.” Well Joe, I’m black, Republican, and am tired of liberals like you telling me who to vote for.https://t.co/lupjQKaooV
— Kendall for Congress (@KendallQuallsMN) May 22, 2020
Although Qualls says he has identified differences between the president’s “style” and his own, he has confirmed his support for Trump in a 2019 interview with the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
Biden’s offending statement came at the tail end of an interview with Lenard Larry McKelvey (aka Charlamagne) on his radio show “The Breakfast Club.” During a discussion on race in American politics, Biden said “if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.”
.@JoeBiden: “If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.” @cthagod: “It don’t have nothing to do with Trump, it has to do with the fact — I want something for my community.” @breakfastclubam pic.twitter.com/endvWnOIV2
— America Rising (@AmericaRising) May 22, 2020
The Democratic presidential frontrunner did attempt to apologize for his Breakfast Club remarks, Friday afternoon. “The bottom line of all this is perhaps I was much too cavalier,” he said, per Politico. Despite this apology, scores of black conservatives like Qualls appear to remain critical of his racially insensitive comment.
“Joe Biden’s comments are the most arrogant and condescending thing I’ve heard in a very long time. I am offended, but not surprised,” says South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.
When asked by a Fox News host about Biden’s comments Scott also highlighted how the former VP “sponsored and lead the charge on the 1990s crime bill that locked up more African American males than any other piece of legislation.” Scott also claimed that Trump’s criminal justice reform has undone the damage to the black community originally perpetrated by Biden when he was a senator.
Joe Biden’s comments are the most arrogant and condescending thing I’ve heard in a very long time. I am offended, but not surprised. pic.twitter.com/aXiVF6oAwc
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) May 22, 2020
“Joe Biden says that if I’m supporting Donald Trump than I’m NOT black? Who the hell are you? You don’t even know where I’m from. You didn’t walk a day in my shoes,” says Republican Florida State Representative and US Congressional Candidate Byron Donalds.
.@JoeBiden says that if I’m supporting @realDonaldTrump than I’m NOT black? Who the hell are you? You don’t even know where I’m from. You didn’t walk a day in my shoes. You didn’t see my mom struggle. You didn’t see me work hard to get where I’m at––and you say #Iaintblack? pic.twitter.com/HbFs5EIH8I
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) May 22, 2020
Kyle Hooten
Kyle Hooten is Managing Editor of Alpha News. His coverage of Minneapolis has been featured on television shows like Tucker Carlson Tonight and in print media outlets like the Wall Street Journal.
