Fox & Friends Host Brian Kilmeade Criticizes Kamala Harris’ Marijuana Legalization Plan as “Insult” to Black Men
During a recent episode of Fox & Friends, host Brian Kilmeade expressed his disapproval of Vice President Kamala Harris’ proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, which is aimed at reducing the historic over-policing of Black Americans. Kilmeade claimed that the policy is an “insult” to Black men, stating that he treats it as such.
Co-host Lawrence Jones, who is Black, countered Kilmeade’s statement, pointing out that Black Americans are not the primary consumers of marijuana. However, Kilmeade’s criticism was not based on any evidence or data provided by the Harris campaign, which has argued that legalizing marijuana would help address the disproportionate arrest rates and job market barriers faced by Black men.
The Harris campaign has cited FBI data showing that Black Americans, who make up 13.7% of the US population, accounted for 29% of drug arrests last year. Black Americans are also more likely to be convicted and receive longer sentences in criminal cases.
Kilmeade’s criticism of the Harris proposal is the latest in a series of controversial statements he has made about Black voters. Last week, he read aloud a joke by comedian Eddie Griffin that made light of Black support for former President Donald Trump, which was met with criticism from Jones and other co-hosts.
The debate highlights the ongoing tensions between the Democratic Party and some Black voters, who have expressed frustration with the party’s rhetoric on crime and its perceived failure to address the systemic issues facing Black communities.
