Reprising his role on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Al Sharpton denounced President Joe Biden’s NATO Summit press conference as “offensive” due to the exclusive presence of white reporters. Sharpton posited that Biden’s exclusion of black journalists creates a disconnect between his expectation of robust black voter support and his apparent disdain for engaging with that constituency.
Co-host Willie Geist alluded to growing concerns over Biden’s political future, with the reverend echoing the sentiment while considering the potential consequences of a transition absent Biden. Sharpton referenced a recent eulogy in Milwaukee, where attendees expressed anxiety regarding the importance of black voter turnout in winning the crucial swing state of Wisconsin. He warned against undermining a coalition built on black, Latino, and labor support, urging his audience not to take their collective endorsement for granted.
Sharpton revisited his observation of the press conference, noticing the absence of black reporters amidst the predominantly white questioning of Biden. “That’s who I was addressing” when he expressed dismay, referencing the role of the White House in determining which reporters received questions. The MSNBC host underscored the significance of black and Latino votes in securing Biden’s presidential nomination and protested the exclusion of these vital segments of the Democratic Party’s base.
