An anchor on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday morning caused an explosion of controversy when he appeared to attack Vice President Kamala Harris, now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, using racially charged language — although it's unclear exactly what he said and Fox News has denied it.
Brian Kilmeade specifically took issue with Harris' decision to give a speech to Zeta Phi Beta, a historically Black sorority, in Indianapolis. Harris herself is a former member of the historically Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, which she often cites as formative to her identity and whose members are helping her fundraise.
"The problem with Kamala Harris, number one, she has not had her record exploited heavily," said Kilmeade. "Number two is she hasn't sat down for an interview ... she will not show up for the [Israeli] prime minister's joint session of Congress today. She'd rather address, in the summer, a sorority, a colored sorority, like she can't get outta that! So that's her decision?"
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Fox News has asserted that Kilmeade simply didn't speak clearly and he in fact said "a college sorority." However, many commenters on social media were convinced he had said "colored sorority" — and were enraged.
"The anticipation on which host was gonna say it was palpable," wrote former GOP strategist Tim Miller.
"'A COLORED sorority' … in 2024 on national tv… this clown thought it was correct and appropriate to use the term 'colored' to describe a distinguished and historic African American sorority," wrote Democratic Party chair Jaime Harrison. "But what is even worse… a Black man sat a few feet away on that couch and didn’t correct him. He was as quiet as a church mouse. Folks be prepared for the racism and misogyny… but let’s put them on notice, America is now 'unburdened' and we ain’t going back!!!"
"Those f------ are one step away from calling her 'uppity'," wrote Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson.
"Kilmeade: 'She'd rather address, in the summer, a sorority ... a COLORED sorority, like she can't get outta that!' Not this in the year of Beyoncé 2024," wrote White House correspondent Eugene Daniels.
"Racist a-- FOX News anchor, @kilmeade calling the Zetas a 'colored sorority' shows how ugly the right will be," wrote public relations expert John V. Moore.
"Kilmeade woke up this morning and was like, 'I'm gonna be more racist than usual!'" wrote political strategist Joel Mendelson. "Anyways, none of them are going to be able to stop themselves over the next few months."
