When Donald Trump was on the cusp of triumph on a Wednesday morning, CNN’s commentator Van Jones was overtaken by emotion. He expressed the pain and fright felt by numerous supporters of Kamala Harris after her loss in the presidential race. Jones, with a voice filled with emotion, contemplated the “hurt” experienced by Black women who had shown up to support the vice president.
“My thoughts are with the people who are not part of the elite but are suffering tonight,” Jones stated. “There are African American women who have experienced being belittled and have seen their economic aspirations shattered. They dared to dream big in the past few months. Tonight, they are exchanging a lot of hope for a lot of pain. They were hopeful that maybe this time — this time — someone from their community could be deemed worthy.”
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Jones has played the role of a representative for the sentiments of the blue states during CNN’s previous election coverages. A former advisor to the Obama Administration, the activist and commentator in 2016 displayed raw emotion as it became evident that Trump was going to secure a first term over then-candidate Hillary Clinton. “This was a white-lash against a changing country,” he declared then. “It was a white-lash against a Black president in part, and that’s the part where the pain comes.” He then went on to urge Trump to “…come out and reassure people that he is going to be the president of all the people whom he insulted, offended, and overlooked.”
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In 2024, he made a similar appeal for the victors to consider those who supported the defeated party. “And once again, they’re confronted with rejection, and that hurts,” Jones continued. “They thought that they would walk out tomorrow morning with their shoulders held high, possibly able to breathe freely for the first time, feeling like they belong somewhere. They did everything in their power and it’s going to be more difficult than it should be for them to keep their heads held high.”
Jones highlighted other groups, such as the LGBTQ community and undocumented immigrants, who had been targeted by Trump and his campaign during the presidential race, highlighting the shock experienced in certain parts of the country.
“If you’re a parent of a trans kid, your child’s face was used as a stepping stone to power for somebody,” Jones pointed out. “That doesn’t feel good. Tomorrow, we’re going to hand over clothes to people without papers at the dry cleaners. There are going to be people cleaning your teeth tomorrow who don’t have papers. And they’re going to be terrified tonight.”
“It’s simple to dismiss this and say, ‘oh the elites, they’re going to get their comeuppance,'” Jones commented. “It’s not the elites who will bear the burden. It’s the people who woke up this morning with a dream and are going to bed with a nightmare.”
FAQs
Who is Van Jones?
Van Jones is a commentator for CNN and a former advisor to the Obama Administration. He is known for his activist work and his emotional commentary during election periods.
What was the context of Van Jones’ comments?
Van Jones made these comments after the loss of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, expressing the pain and fear felt by her supporters, particularly African American women and other marginalized groups.
What does he mean by “white-lash”?
“White-lash” is a term used by Van Jones to describe a backlash by white voters against racial progress, as seen in the election of Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
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