Joy Reid Critiques Trump and Cultural Appropriation

Former MSNBC anchor Joy Reid on Friday spoke out against President Donald Trump, Elvis Presley, and a historical pattern she sees among “morning white men.” She suggests their accomplishments have often been misrepresented or appropriated.

In a discussion with Wajahat Ali on his “Left Hook” podcast, Reid highlighted the prevalence of “mediocre white men” in the American landscape, arguing that they lack a genuine cultural identity and that achievements traditionally attributed to them actually stem from Black and Brown contributions.

Ali introduced the topic by mentioning Trump’s controversial changes at the Kennedy Center, which many view as a hostile takeover aimed at reshaping its identity. Recent performances there, which included drag queens, are being replaced with content that aligns more with conservative values. Trump had recently made headlines with his announcement of the Kennedy Center Awards.

They both noted the repeated grievances of white conservatives, as Reid pointed out, “They lack the intellectual depth to have a meaningful discussion.” She emphasized that instead of engaging thoughtfully, the response often involves resentment and complaint.

Wearing a hat initially supporting the 1619 Project, Reid transitioned to one stating “FDT,” relating it to Trump’s attempts to overhaul Smithsonian exhibits ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Reid argued that white Americans cannot rewrite their historical roles in slavery, stating, “They can erase all traces of slavery from history for their kids, but they can’t change the fact that their ancestors enslaved this country.” She asserted that Black Americans have significantly shaped music and culture in the U.S., stressing, “We gave the world genres like country music, hip hop, and rock and roll.”

In reference to Elvis, Reid mentioned “Hound Dog,” originally recorded by Black blues singer Big Mama Thornton. She contended that while Elvis enjoyed immense fame, it was inappropriate to label him a “king” of rock and roll when much of his success was based on cultural borrowing.

Her commentary did not go unnoticed; White House spokesperson Harrison Fields retorted, calling Reid “an ungrateful hack” and suggesting she was blind to her own privileges in America.

Fox News reached out for clarification from sources mentioned in the discussion but did not receive an immediate response.