MSNBC host questions Donalds' connection to Black community

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 01:26 · Archive

MSNBC host Symone Sanders Townsend suggested Florida governor-elect Byron Donalds was not true 'kinfolk' with other Black Americans.

MSNBC host Symone Sanders Townsend suggested on Tuesday that Florida Republican Byron Donalds was not true 'kinfolk' with other Black Americans. She acknowledged Donalds' historic victory in the state's gubernatorial race but questioned its political significance, stating he would continue governor Ron DeSantis' agenda. 'All kinfolk ain't skinfolk,' Sanders Townsend said, adding that while Donalds was making history, he would pursue DeSantis' political direction in Florida.

Tim Graham of the Media Research Center criticised the remarks, telling Fox News Digital that Sanders Townsend was suggesting Black conservatives' political beliefs conflicted with their racial identity. 'Symone Sanders is trying to argue that Blackness and conservatism are polar opposites or that being a Black conservative is being a traitor to your race,' Graham said. He argued she had characterised DeSantis' policies as anti-Black and suggested Donalds would continue this agenda.

Graham compared the criticism to treatment of Clarence Thomas during his 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings, when Thomas described the proceedings as a 'high-tech lynching'. Graham said Sanders Townsend's underlying message demanded political conformity from Black Americans. Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in the election.

How it is being reported

• MS NOW host claims Byron Donalds isn’t true ‘kinfolk’ after historic Florida gubernatorial winMS NOW's Symone Sanders Townsend called Florida's first Black Governor-elect Byron Donalds not true "kinfolk" over his conservative policies.New York Post · 5 Nov, 01:06
• MS NOW host suggests Byron Donalds’ not true 'kinfolk' after historic Florida gubernatorial victoryMS NOW host Symone Sanders Townsend appeared to suggest Florida Gov.-elect Byron Donalds wasn't true "kinfolk" with other Black Americans because of his conservative policies.Fox News · 4 Nov, 22:04

In this story: Byron Donalds · Symone Sanders Townsend · Ron DeSantis · David Jolly · Florida · MSNBC

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