Music mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs, has added his voice to the ongoing debate on who the black community in America would be casting their votes for in this year’s presidential elections.
In an interview on Naomi Campbell’s web series No Filter with Naomi, Diddy said Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will need to earn his vote or that of the black community in the polls.
“The black vote is not going to be free,” he stressed, adding, “Nothing has changed for Black America. In order for us to vote for Joe Biden, we can’t be taken for granted like we always are because we’re supposed to be Democrats or because people are afraid of Trump.”
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“It’s business at this point. You know, we can’t trust politicians.”
Diddy, a longtime advocate for blacks, further added that Biden hasn’t outlined his agenda for black voters, unlike Trump who made his agenda very clear despite how worrying they were.
“We want to know very clearly. Just like Trump made it clear that he wanted to build a wall, Biden needs to make it clear that he’s gonna change the lives and quality of life of black and brown people,” Diddy said.
— Diddy (@Diddy) April 29, 2020
“Or else he can’t get the vote. I will hold the vote hostage if I have to,” he threatened.
Diddy’s comments come after several high profile Americans endorsed Biden, including former president, Barack Obama, John Lewis, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass, Sen Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and Stacy Abrams.
Diddy’s comment was met with mixed feelings.
His colleague, actor Jamie Fox, also waded into the conversation. In a response, Fox stated that the values of the person are more important than the message of the person.
“There is no way that anyone can live up to what we think should be a candidate because we want perfection,” he wrote.
“What I suggest is that if we really want to change course it’s about getting behind the values… not the person… the other side won because they wanted legislation,” his post continued.
See reactions below:
It’s business at this point. FOR. YOU. You are wealthy, insulated from much of the horrors that poor, immigrant, or regular POC deal with. We shouldn’t be taken for granted. But voting for @JoeBiden IS in our best interest. That you have the privilege to say this speaks volumes.
— Djinnaat (@Djinnaat) April 29, 2020
this is very ambiguous — that’s not how ransom notes work
biden has laid out his plans for education, small businesses, healthcare, criminal justice reform & housing in the black community
what SPECIFICS are you demanding in exchange for your vote?!
make it clear, brother// pic.twitter.com/fhYzSW4iE4
— POTUS JOE R. BIDEN, Jr. – the R is for RESTORATION (@Glamuary) April 29, 2020
Bruh… if you haven’t seen everything you need to see from trump by now, I’m not sure what you’re looking for. This isn’t about business or making a deal. This is about life and death. Black people are disproportionately DYING and losing their jobs under this administration. pic.twitter.com/aSTWJcM7eQ
— The Black Guy in the Movie Who Survives (@DrewMcCaskill) April 29, 2020
He’s right.. execpt for the last part.. but we hold a lot of power.. when we all come together we can certainly move the needle. They pander and pander pormise after promise then they get voted and we still struggle..
— ?? Sysko ?? (@Sysko212) April 29, 2020
Not rocking with you because i am in these streets! I see the hurt and pain of everyone right now. Either you about unity! People are dying
— Dr.antmikedmondpinckney (@Drantmikedmond1) April 29, 2020
now is not the time for this… pic.twitter.com/RAaWTJzWSJ
— #IntellectualViolence (@theSoreWinner_) April 29, 2020
