Kamala Harris Faces Backlash Over Controversial Campaign Ad Targeting Black Men
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Vice President Kamala Harris is facing criticism over a new campaign ad aimed at securing support from Black men as the 2024 presidential election approaches. The ad, designed for Instagram and Snapchat, has sparked controversy for what some perceive as mocking Black men’s romantic lives. The message suggests that these men could face rejection from women if they fail to vote in the upcoming election.
This ad has heightened concerns about Harris’ difficulty in winning over young Black men, a key demographic that has traditionally supported Democrats. According to Fox News, the ad plays out like a dating game. It shows a Black man approaching a group of women holding balloons, who begin asking him questions about his height, income, and fitness routine.
Initially, the women respond positively to his answers, but their attitude changes when one of them asks about his voting plans for November. When he responds with, “Nah, not my thing,” the women pop their balloons, signaling disapproval. The ad then cuts to a screen with the message, “Vote. Election Day is Nov 5,” along with the Harris-Walz campaign logo.
The ad quickly drew criticism on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where users expressed their dissatisfaction. One user wrote, “To whom is this ad supposed to appeal? Men who want women they don’t even know, to tell them what to do? Pretty sure they’re already voting for Harris.” Another comment stated, “Democrats continue to dehumanize and insult black men and try to shame and pressure them into only voting for them. Kamala’s campaign doesn’t even try to engage respectfully.”
A third person added, “Memorable as how out-of-touch and classless it is. Who makes this trash? Why would any man want to vote for someone because they’re being shamed into it?” Despite these criticisms, a Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion poll indicates that 81% of Black men plan to vote for Harris. However, the number drops to 68% among Black men under 50. Interestingly, 21% of younger Black men have expressed support for former President Donald Trump.
This aligns with a growing number of high-profile African-American men openly backing Trump. Fox News highlighted that hip-hop artist Lord Jamar, a member of the group Brand Nubian, has voiced support for Trump, praising his leadership while criticizing Harris and her policies. Additionally, rapper Kodak Black, also known as Bill K. Kapri, has been a vocal Trump supporter since being pardoned by the former president in 2021.
This year, Kodak Black attended Trump’s reelection campaign events and even collaborated with Fivio Foreign on a song titled “ONBOA47RD,” which includes clips from Trump’s past speeches. Former NFL running back Herschel Walker, another notable Trump supporter, also received a significant boost in his 2022 Republican Senate run in Georgia, largely thanks to Trump’s endorsement. The backlash to Harris’ ad underscores the challenges she faces in appealing to younger Black voters, a demographic that appears more divided in its political allegiance than in previous elections.
