Leftist comedian Larry Wilmore, an African American, expressed criticism of President Joe Biden’s recent address at a historically black college, Morehouse College, calling it “condescending” in an interview with Bill Maher. Biden had addressed the 2024 graduates of Morehouse College, questioning what democracy means when one needs to be 10 times better than anyone else to receive a fair shot.
Wilmore and Maher compared Biden’s address to a speech delivered by former President Barack Obama at the same college in 2013. Maher described the difference between the two presidents’ speeches as “night and day”, with Obama’s speech being more hopeful and encouraging.
Obama’s speech was said to have emboldened the graduates, while Biden’s rhetoric was seen as defeatist. In his address, Biden mentioned that instead of requiring graduates to be 10 times better, he wants to break down doors to give them a hundred times more opportunities.
Wilmore echoed Maher’s criticism, labeling Biden’s speech “condescending”. He also referenced Biden’s previous comments to Charlamagne tha God, which sparked controversy during the 2020 election cycle, including the now-infamous statement “If you ain’t black”.
