Joe Biden Makes Controversial 'You Ain’t Black’ Statement During Charlamagne Tha God Interview

Former vice president Joe Biden sparked controversy in an interview with Charlamagne Tha God on “The Breakfast Club” today. The interview which was pre-recorded for airplay, ended with Biden making a comment that he later apologized for where he said, "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."

Charlamagne has been calling for the Biden campaign to make the former Vice President available throughout this election season. Virtually all of Biden's former democratic opponents have appeared on the morning show. He finally got an opportunity to do an interview with the presumptive nominee on The Breakfast Club.

In a rushed eighteen minute interview that was interrupted by a Biden staffer twice, ended when Charlamagne commented, "It don't have nothing to do with Trump. It has to do with the fact I want something for my community." Biden responded, "Take a look at my record, man."

Overall, many topics that might have been covered were not covered. Not much was gained from the interview other than the controversy that was generated from the statement. Charlamagne invited Biden to appear on the program in the future, perhaps during a visit to New York City.

The full interview is above.

Updated: Charlamagne responded to the Biden's comment on CNN with anchor Erin Burnett.


Tweets below include different perspectives on the interview.

Joe Biden has done this routine before. In 2012, he made a joke about Romney putting Black people back in chains. He moves as if he has insider status. Yes, someone can say that if you love Black people then you shouldn’t vote Trump. But it should be a BLACK PERSON. Not Biden.

— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 22, 2020

.@JoeBiden: "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black." @cthagod: "It don't have nothing to do with Trump, it has to do with the fact -- I want something for my community." @breakfastclubam pic.twitter.com/endvWnOIV2

— America Rising (@AmericaRising) May 22, 2020

Charlamagne Tha God just did a more rigorous & tough interview of Joe Biden than anyone on MSNBC/CNN has this entire campaign.

— Brad Polumbo (@brad_polumbo) May 22, 2020

Joe Biden came on the Breakfast Club defensive AF! This is why I can’t stand him... He expects people to automatically support & not question him because “you want trump instead?” SIR, WHAT WILL YOU DO DIFFERENTLY FOR US??? I’m glad @cthagod didn’t back down pic.twitter.com/M8UwajWguu

— T°̩ƑƑ̩any K°̩ng (@tiffykiing) May 22, 2020

Joe Biden said on Friday that black voters torn between voting for him or President Trump “ain’t black.” His comments came at the end of a testy exchange with Charlamagne Tha God on “The Breakfast Club.”https://t.co/uG4l7F4piD

— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 22, 2020

Sharing my thoughts on statements made by @joebiden during a recent interview w/ @cthagod, tune in to MSNBC’s #DeadlineWhiteHouse. pic.twitter.com/7AjH6dgu9F

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) May 22, 2020

Symone Sanders shuts down Chuck Todd. Joe, whatever she’s getting paid, double it. pic.twitter.com/JSbHXqZ33I

— José (@josecanyousee) May 22, 2020

NEW: Former VP Joe Biden just dialed into a U.S. Black Chamber call and addressed his remarks to Charlamagne tha God. Biden said, "I shouldn't have been such a wise guy. I shouldn't have been so cavalier...I have never, ever taken the African American community for granted."

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) May 22, 2020

The issue wasn’t what Joe Biden said, because it was accurate. The issue was that it came from Biden. It also was clearly a joke that didn’t land. But I’m wondering where all this outrage was yesterday when y’all president declared his public devotion to a Nazi sympathizer.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) May 22, 2020