White House distances itself from Hochul black children ‘computer’ comments

The White House said it had not heard a high-profile Democrat’s comments regarding black children in the Bronx, but offered a mild rebuke nonetheless.

“Obviously, we don’t think that is the right way to speak about young people in any way, in any form,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday when asked about the brewing controversy.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) had a foot-in-mouth moment during a presentation Monday, in which she claimed black children do not know what the word “computer” means.

During an AI-focused discussion at the Milken Institute Global Conference, Hochul pushed making AI more equitable for all communities because “right now we have young black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word ‘computer’ is.”

Hochul quickly apologized, saying she misspoke and that she regrets it as the controversy spread. The issue apparently had not yet reached Jean-Pierre, however.

“I’m going to be super mindful, I have not heard these comments,” she said when initially asked about it. “I want to make sure I go back, read the comments, and get a sense of what is happening here.”

The reporter pressed on, asking if “it’s right to insinuate that black kids don’t know what the word computer means.” Jean-Pierre then acknowledged it is not the right way to speak about young people.

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Hochul’s comments have received backlash from users on social media, including some lawmakers in the state. New York State Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, for example, posted on X that she was “deeply disturbed” by Hochul’s statement.

In her apology, Hochul wrote, “of course black children in the Bronx know what computers are — the problem is that they too often lack access to the technology needed to get on track to high-paying jobs in emerging industries like AI. That’s why I’ve been focused on increasing economic opportunity since Day One of my Administration, and will continue that fight to ensure every New Yorker has a shot at a good-paying job.”