Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s adviser and son-in-law, was called out on social media on Monday for the racist comments he made while standing outside the White House.
During an interview with Fox News, Kushner said Black Lives Matter protesters were just “virtue signaling” after the police killing of George Floyd in May.
“They’d go on Instagram and cry,” he said.
Then, Kushner suggested that Black people in America ― who are “mostly Democrat” ― have to want to be successful.
“President Trump’s policies are the policies that can help people break out of the problems that they’re complaining about,” he said. “But he can’t want them to be successful more than that they want to be successful.”
That, critics noted, was a nod to racist stereotypes. And Twitter users weren’t having it:
Jared Kushner is the face of white privilege and nepotism. He doesn't want to change our racist, broken system because he benefits from it.
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) October 26, 2020
He’s the last person that should be lecturing the Black community on the value of “hard work.” https://t.co/KyuTgPZv9a
I see Jared Kushner is letting his Klan flag fly today. Institutional power hinders the Black community not will power. We can't just will our way into being born to a billionaire like you were Jared. Everything you got is from nepotism not from merit and you still ain't shit! https://t.co/9ImopMGJcT pic.twitter.com/xs8o7gPdbR
— BlackWomenViews Media (@blackwomenviews) October 26, 2020
Oh. Trust fund baby slumlord Kushner who has enriched himself in the WH takes the silver spoon out of his mouth long enough to insert his foot with a racist trope about Black people and success. 🙄 https://t.co/rMN01O9WQm
— Rep. Gwen Moore (@RepGwenMoore) October 26, 2020
Dear #JaredKushner ,
— 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 (@CornellWBrooks) October 26, 2020
You say “Blacks don’t want to be successful?” My enslaved grandfather fought for his country in the Civil War, led a strike for fair wages in 1876, & died a success—in poverty. Your ancestors left you wealth, mine left us a nation. pic.twitter.com/cyE4NaIgmi
I don’t wanna hear any of y’all tell me that Jared Kushner can’t be a racist because he’s Jewish.
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) October 26, 2020
He’s a white supremacist. Case closed.
JARED KUSHNER WAS BORN INTO A RICH FAMILY WHO GAVE HIM EVERYTHING HE COULD POSSIBLY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND STILL... STILL HIS DADDY HAD TO BRIBE JARED'S WAY INTO HARVARD!
— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) October 26, 2020
He is not a success. He is a lucky sperm. https://t.co/n57OIktFft
Jarred, you said the quiet part out loud. https://t.co/gIpbSIVAKV
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 26, 2020
If it weren't for nepotism, @jaredkushner would be Jared, the creepy north Jersey accountant with a weird voice who isn't terribly good at math, but sure, tell me again about how to be successful . https://t.co/uf3afDALCV
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) October 26, 2020
I really hate Jared Kushner is even a thing.
— brittany packnett cunningham. (@MsPackyetti) October 26, 2020
We are forced to pay attention to what he says because he exerts influence in spaces that, like most of his colleagues, he is completely unqualified to occupy.
But “Black folks don’t want success” is a common narrative. So...
Jared Kushner wants to distract white voters with images of “complaining” and “lazy” Black people so they won’t vote to make billionaires like the Kushners pay their fair share in taxes.
— Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) October 26, 2020
Our country will be truly great only when we put an end to their divide-and-conquer tactics. https://t.co/GPRm2ioC2E
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner was born into wealth and got a job in Trump’s White House with no qualifications and no security clearance.
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) October 26, 2020
Yet he has the audacity to lecture Black people that we just complain and don’t want to be successful.
This racist family must go! https://t.co/6yVILpR8L4
"Ah that classic racist trope. Black people have to try harder, says the man who has his job in the White House only because he married the president's daughter."
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) October 27, 2020
My bit on tonight's @MehdiHasanShow, deconstructing Jared Kushner's car crash Fox interview:pic.twitter.com/Er806uhobf
Ah yes, Trump's 39 year-old ghoulish son-in-law on TV spouting casual racism & the "bootstrap" myth 8 days before the election.
— Padma "Did You Vote Yet?" Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) October 26, 2020
"He can’t want them to be successful more than they want to be successful.” - Jared Kushner on Trump and the Black community pic.twitter.com/UAKHJX2pWH
Damn you, Jared Kushner. I had planned to devote my next column to the new Bruce Springsteen album. A nice, peaceful change of pace. Instead, now I've got to spend it tearing you a brand new orifice.https://t.co/QS99B16jdE
— Leonard Pitts, Jr. (@LeonardPittsJr1) October 26, 2020
Jared Kushner told Black Americans that Trump was delivering for them if only they would stop “complaining.”
— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) October 26, 2020
One thing that's clear is that Trump has delivered for Kushner. He’s delivered him wealth, political power and access to top secret intelligence.https://t.co/JmtVxp7NbA
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.