The controversy surrounding Donald Trump has reached a new high ever since a 2005 recording with Billy Bush, then of Access Hollywood, exposed the presidential candidate speaking about women in a vile and lewd way.
The Internet has been ablaze, with many including Republicans calling for Trump to withdraw from the race. Activist and political commentator Van Jones blasted Trump’s speech and noted if Trump were a black man, the media would be less than kind in their reporting of his actions.
“When black people do stuff, we quickly rush to criminality. When white people do stuff it’s like ‘Okay, this is frat boy behavior.’ With us, it’s thuggish behavior,” Jones said.
In a Facebook live post that has since gone viral, Jones states that despite how rude and disgusting Trump and Bush’s words were, he must be held accountable for his actions.
“You have somebody running for president of the United States, who has confessed on tape to committing sex crimes and people are talking about it as if there is something wrong with the language. We’re talking about him using lewd speech. I don’t care about the speech. I’ve heard those words before,” Jones said. “What I care about is the activity, the language, the deeds that he is describing. He is describing sexual assault. He is describing being a sexual predator. ”
Trump brags about groping, kissing and trying to have sex with women, and alleges his celebrity status allows him to get away with his conduct.”When you’re a star, they let you do it,” Trump said on the unearthed recording made public Friday. (Oct. 7)
Jones doesn’t mince words and claims race plays a big part in how this story is being handled. If he, or any other black man were to do what Trump described on the tape Jones said they would immediately be in handcuffs. Following the tape’s reveal, Sen. John McCain publicly withdrew his support from Trump stating “no woman should ever be victimized by this kind of inappropriate behavior.” yet Melania Trump tried to do her best damage control.
“The words my husband used are unacceptable and offensive to me. This does not represent the man that I know. He has the heart and mind of a leader. I hope people will accept his apology, as I have, and focus on the important issues facing our nation and the world, ” Mrs. Trump said in a statement. Donald Trump however is staying in the race and claims it’s the media who want to bring him down.
The media and establishment want me out of the race so badly – I WILL NEVER DROP OUT OF THE RACE, WILL NEVER LET MY SUPPORTERS DOWN! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2016
Van Jones continues his public assault on Trump by pointing out the double-standard that would no doubt occur if Barack Obama said what Trump said, and claims Obama’s political career would be over
“Can you imagine if Barack Obama had come out and said or had been caught on video talking about he’s grabbing p-words, I don’t want to offend anybody, but he’s grabbing people’s crotches, he can kiss anybody he wants to, he’s a star, he’s a celebrity, he can do whatever he wants to, they like it. It would be over.”
Watch Van Jones’ go in below.