Two influential black activists who have met with Vice President Harris multiple times have made controversial statements about Trump supporters and White women, potentially creating internal tensions within the Harris campaign.
Two prominent Black female activists, Cora Masters Barry and Melanie Campbell, have come under fire for controversial remarks they made about Trump supporters and White women, raising concerns for Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign.
Barry and Campbell, who have met with Harris several times and expressed their support for her presidential aspirations, have visited the White House more than 50 times combined during the Biden administration. However, their past rhetoric could alienate some of the "White women for Kamala" supporters who are crucial to Harris's campaign.
Harris Activists' Controversial Rhetoric Raises Concerns for 'Unity' Campaign
In a public Zoom call weeks before Biden and Harris took office in 2021, Barry and Campbell made inflammatory statements about Trump supporters and used an expletive against White women, specifically targeting those who voted for Trump. Barry suggested that White women "do what the White men tell them to do" and that the Black community should "forget the White women."
These comments have drawn criticism and could hinder the Harris campaign's efforts to mobilize different voting blocs. Recently, Harris emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "We have to change our strategy. We got to get our people. We have to get our – they got their people. They got all the trailer parks all covered."
Harris Activists' Controversial Rhetoric Raises Concerns for 'Unity' Campaign
Barry's remarks about Trump supporters also drew comparisons to the Ku Klux Klan, suggesting that they "have a white sheet in their closet." She emphasized the need for the Black community to organize and elect Harris as president, arguing that "it's not going to happen if we don't reach all of our Black people."
Campbell echoed Barry's sentiments, criticizing White women who voted for Trump for being motivated by "race" and "White privilege." She expressed frustration with fruitless conversations with her White friends, stating, "No we don't need to sit down and have a conversation. No we don't. You need to go talk to your sister. You need to go talk to your cousin."
Harris Activists' Controversial Rhetoric Raises Concerns for 'Unity' Campaign
Fox News Digital has also reported on Barry's praise for antisemite religious leader Louis Farrakhan, referring to him as a "friend" and "member of the family." Farrakhan has espoused antisemitic rhetoric for decades, which has drawn widespread condemnation.
Meanwhile, a recent Zoom call organized by Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts and other female celebrities raised millions of dollars for Harris's campaign, demonstrating the potential fundraising power of White women supporters. However, Barry's comments could create internal tensions as the Harris campaign seeks to mobilize different voting groups.
Harris Activists' Controversial Rhetoric Raises Concerns for 'Unity' Campaign
A spokesperson for both Barry and Campbell defended the comments about White women, stating that they were in reference to how White women are not as reliable Democrat voters and that Harris was not part of the conversation. However, Barry, Campbell, and the Harris campaign have not responded to requests for comment.
The controversial remarks raise questions about the Harris campaign's ability to maintain unity and appeal to a broad range of voters as they work towards the November election.
Harris Activists' Controversial Rhetoric Raises Concerns for 'Unity' Campaign
