Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has caused an outrage on Twitter following his recent comment on African American voters.
McConnell held a press conference on Wednesday (January 19) to address the voting pattern of ‘Americans’ and ‘African Americans.’
He held the press conference after a debate in which Democrats and Republicans argued about a Republican filibuster that prevented the passing of voting rights legislation.
However, he committed a huge bunder while comparing the patterns of ‘Americans’ and ‘African Americans.’
For anyone who wants the clip. Here it is. Minority Leader McConnell says the quiet part out loud. https://t.co/82sI1ehSot pic.twitter.com/0Wuf1l0icf
— Brendan Egan (@bse229) January 20, 2022
When a reporter asked McConnell what his message was for people of color regarding their upcoming voting rights, he said: “Well, the concern is misplaced. Because if you look at the statistics, African American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as Americans.”
His comment prompted an outrage on Twitter, with thousands of African Americans, including high profile politicians, calling him out. It also prompted a new hashtag called #MitchPlease.
We were Americans before America was America. #MitchPlease pic.twitter.com/515oxVZQgz
— Lakota Man (@LakotaMan1) January 20, 2022
I *am* American. #mitchplease pic.twitter.com/DU1VZnKoCJ
— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) January 20, 2022
I am no less American than Mitch McConnell.
— Charles Booker (@Booker4KY) January 20, 2022
I am an American. https://t.co/VslR8TpZyU
— Martin Mayhew (@MartinMayhew35) January 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/Dredarnel/status/1484205786767183874?s=20
Don’t know who needs to hear this, but African-Americans are Americans.
— Andrea Junker (@Strandjunker) January 20, 2022
We are American #mitchplease pic.twitter.com/m99lOVcCmN
— Donald McEachin (@Donald_McEachin) January 20, 2022
Mitch McConnell hasn’t issued any statement since making this comment, neither has he apologised on his social media pages.
