After Kamala Harris’s failed bid for president, Charlamagne Tha God called for unity and said voters’ economic frustrations and security concerns were crucial to Donald Trump’s victory.
“I know the last few years it’s felt like the divided states of America, but it’s still the United States of America,” said the radio host who helped Harris. “We have to unite somehow, shape or form.”
Charlamagne (né Lenard McKelvey) is the host of the popular iHeart Radio program “The Breakfast Club” heard by millions of listeners each month and the author of the new book “Be honest or die lying.”
Harris joined Charlamagne audio town hall in October, where he discussed how his economic plan would boost the black community and deliver Donald Trump’s presidency on dark terms.
Jonathan Karl sat down with influential radio host Charlamagne tha God on “This Week.”
ABC News
In an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on “This Week,” Charlamagne said he is “optimistic” about America despite Harris’ loss.
“I believe in the future of this country because I have no other choice,” he said.
Following President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race in August and endorse Harris, Charlamagne hailed the vice presidential candidacy as a way to energize the Democratic Party.
Charlamagne said there was “no life” with the Biden campaign and previously asked not to run for re-election.
“The vice president has to make a lot of people sit on the couch and pay attention and at least be curious,” he said. “He has no need to be ashamed, he ran a great campaign”
In a stark demographic shift in 2020, Trump won one in three voters of color, especially Black and Latino voters. Charlamagne attributed some of that change to “a backlash against race and gender and identity politics.”
Trump improved on his 2016 and 2020 numbers in traditional Democratic strongholds such as New Jersey and New Mexico. Charlamagne said they were “dinner table topics” for voters.
“Every day people wake up and all they want to do is have more money in their pocket and they want to feel safe,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re black, white, gay, straight, whatever religion you are, those are the two things you’re thinking about every day.”
He also said Democrats “didn’t know how to message” their position on immigration, including the bipartisan border bill. Trump and his allies were effectively killed.
“It’s not like the Democrats didn’t want border security. They just didn’t know how to get the message across,” Charlamagne said. “‘Build the wall’ sounds basic, but you know what it means to people? Border security.”
Asked if Harris should have done more to separate herself from Bid, Charlamagne said, “I think if he wanted to go in a different direction, he should have expressed that.”
He also highlighted Harris’ appearances “The view“and the Fox interview Brett Baier where he gave mixed answers about how he would be a different leader than the current president.
Despite being a sharp critic of Trump, Charlamagne said he is choosing to have a positive outlook over the next four years.
“We just have to hope for the best,” Charlamagne said. “I don’t want America to fail. Why would I want that?”
