Rep. Byron Donalds Addresses Criticism of Segregation Comments

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Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) addressed criticism toward recent comments he made about segregation.

For Context: The original statement made by Donalds was given at a campaign event for former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia aimed at appealing to black voters. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer (Lean Left bias), Donalds stated that America was seeing the “reinvigoration of Black family.” Donalds then added, “You see, during Jim Crow, the Black family was together. During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative — Black people have always been conservative-minded — but more Black people voted conservatively. And then H.E.W. [Department of Health, Education and Welfare], Lyndon Johnson — you go down that road, and now we are where we are.”

Details: During an interview with MSNBC (Left bias), Donalds stated that the criticism toward his statement was “ridiculous” and accused left-rated outlets of “gaslighting.” Byron added, “Well, listen, under Jim Crow, obviously, Black people were under great persecution, unfortunately by Southern Democrats and the Democrat Party overall, in the history of our country. That’s the fact. So, having the Black man in the home was about first protecting the mom and protecting the kids, incredibly important.” MSNBC host Joy Reid then addressed Donald’s interracial marriage, asking, “During Jim Crow, could your family have existed?” Donald answered, “No, it could not, Joy, and we all know that.” 

How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum are covering the story, but left-rated outlets are pushing it more prominently with more sensational writing.

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MSNBC host Joy Reid wasn’t having it with Rep. Byron Donalds’ (R-Fla.) claim that critics are twisting his words on Thursday after his remarks that Black American families were “together” during the Jim Crow era of legal segregation.

″[They’re] saying I was being nostalgic or saying that Jim Crow was good for Black people, that’s all political spin, it’s a lie, it’s gaslighting and that’s truly unfortunate,” said Donalds, who made the comments Tuesday at an event for former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.

MSNBC host Joy Reid in a Thursday interview pressed Rep. Byron Donalds over comments the Florida Republican made about how Black families were “together” during the time of racial segregation of the Jim Crow South.

Reid asked Donalds, “Is there a specific period between 1867 and 1968 that you thought was this golden era for Black families, or a time that was good for Black families?”