A Heated Exchange on CNN Turns Controversial
A recent CNN panel descended into chaos after pro-Trump radio host Shelley Wynter used a racially charged term to describe Black supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris.
The discussion, meant to focus on voter outreach efforts, took a sharp turn when Wynter’s remarks referenced a painful chapter of American history, sparking immediate backlash from fellow panelists and viewers.
Wynter’s Remarks Ignite a Tense Confrontation
During the segment, hosted by Sara Sidner, Wynter compared the divide among Black voters to that of “house” and “field” African Americans, terms that draw on the historical context of slavery. Wynter framed his comment as an analogy for the 2024 election, arguing that Trump’s Black supporters represent the “field” group, while Harris’s supporters were akin to “house African Americans.”
Didn’t the Harris team say we’re not going back? Guess the memo wasn’t understood…
ANYWAYS–it gets worse. Here’s how their conversation went (captions denoted via Mediaite):
SARA SIDNER: Kamala Harris has been doing interviews on Black media. Trump, though, is overperforming in polling with both groups compared to past Republicans. Here is what he said when he was campaigning in Pennsylvania.
DONALD TRUMP: Any African-American or Hispanic– and you know how well I’m doing there — that votes for Kamala. You got to have your head examined because they are really screwing you. They are really screwing you.
SARA SIDNER: And it is Kamala, for the record, But he is denigrating voters for making a choice that he does not like. Shelley, to you, what does he achieve with this?
SHELLEY WYNTER: Well how is it, wait? First of all, how is he denigrating voters?
SARA SIDNER: He’s saying that they are being, for lack of a better word, screwed.
SHELLEY WYNTER: Taken advantage of, they’re being taken advantage of. They’re paying higher pricing. They’re the working class, the ones that he’s talking about, working class, lower middle class. They’re paying more for food. They’re paying more for gas and they’re being taken advantage of.
SARA SIDNER: He also said that they, you know, they had to have their head examined. That is not something that is a compliment.
SHELLEY WYNTER: Obama just told me the same thing. Obama just told me the same thing.
SARA SIDNER: He did not use those words.
SHELLEY WYNTER: … He inferred them. He implied them. He certainly did. He even threatened us with. We’re lucky Michelle’s not here. I mean, come on. Let’s not make things up. Let’s be honest here. And let’s really be clear what’s being said.
If you’re an African-American man. Look, let me boil this election down in the African-American community to a very simple, I’ll reference the great Malcolm X. This race is between House African-Americans and field African-Americans and the field African-Americans are going for Donald Trump.
I’m talking about your men. I’m talking about your men who build, your men, who put things together, your men who work with their hands, your men who do things, not the men who push paper on, the men who are connected to power and want to continue to be connected to power.
SARA SIDNER: Are you are you denigrating or actually degrading African-American men who are professionals, who work in white collar jobs? Is that what I’m hearing from you or–?
SHELLEY WYNTER: No, I’m not saying.
MICHAEL BLAKE: Is Shelley the house one or the field one?! I’m just trying to understand that part of it. I’m just trying to understand. I’m just trying to understand.
We have someone who’s spinning. I’m just trying to stay in the one that’s spinning talking points right now. Are you– are you the house Negro or the field negro that you’re referring to?! So I just want to make sure your question was about denigrating Black people. That literally was your question. You have a Republican fool–.
SHELLEY WYNTER: Right.
MICHAEL BLAKE: Who is talking right now. You literally just said that Black men (CROSSTALK) you just you actually just said this is an election about “house” or “field.”.
This is the nonsense that we are listening to right now by those that are supporting Donald Trump. That is actually what you just.
SHELLEY WYNTER: (PROTESTING).
MICHAEL BLAKE: You there’s only– clearly you must be, you must be in your own talk. I’m not sure what kind of radio show you have that you can’t listen to your own thing. So you actually just said.
SHELLEY WYNTER: For Trump.
MICHAEL BLAKE: Again. Do you understand that’s what you– you sound absurd and silly. And so let’s actually talk about the substance of your question. The substance of the question was around denigrating.
SHELLEY WYNTER: I said is.
MICHAEL BLAKE: The substance of the question was denigrating Black and Latino communities.
SHELLEY WYNTER: Sir, sir, sir, the su– the substance.
MICHAEL BLAKE: My name is Michael. Name is Michael. My name is Michael. And we thank you that. So the point here, my question that was raised by my brother around denigrating Black and Latino communities.
SHELLEY WYNTER: All right, My brother. Let me answer the question. The conservative let me let me answer the question.
SARA SIDNER: You made a point saying that you believe.
SHELLEY WYNTER: The point I’m making ma’am, Sara, the so the point I’m making is this. The men who get up, the men who get up every day and make things happen with their hands, they build things.
They’re plumbers, they’re electricians, they’re working for Amazon. These men who are coaching seven and under football, not because their son or daughter plays, but because they want to keep others off the streets and they’re volunteering their time.
These men, these men are going for Trump, these men and I’ll use an analogy made famous by the great Malcolm X. So you’re saying that I’m denigrating anybody? Then you must assume that he was denigrating somebody. So don’t even throw that word out there again.
According to Mediaite, the conversation underscored the growing political and racial tensions heading into the 2024 election.
The Gravity of Wynter’s Racially Charged Words
Wynter’s comments evoke a dark chapter of U.S. history, where enslaved people were often divided into “house” and “field” categories. Those who worked inside slaveowners’ homes were referred to as “house slaves,” a term later adapted into “house negro” to describe Black people who were perceived as benefiting from white supremacy or working to uphold the power structures that oppressed them. Malcolm X famously discussed this dynamic in the 1960s to criticize divisions within the Black community.
Unfortunately, the reference to Malcolm X was taken completely out of context.
By invoking this language in a modern political context, Wynter tapped into a painful legacy that continues to resonate with African Americans today. His remarks not only recalled the degradation and suffering of slavery but also suggested that Black voters supporting Harris were, in effect, betraying their own community.
How This Incident Reflects Broader Election Dynamics
As the 2024 election draws near, race remains a central issue for both Vice President Harris and former President Trump. Harris has worked to build a coalition of Black voters, while Trump has seen an increase in support among Black and Latino men compared to previous Republican candidates. Wynter’s comments reflect the ongoing challenge of appealing to a racially diverse electorate without exacerbating existing tensions.
The conversation on CNN highlights the difficulties both campaigns face in navigating race, identity, and class, particularly as the country’s political discourse continues to be shaped by historical racial divides.
An Inappropriate Talking Point Deepens Divisions
Wynter’s remarks are a reminder of the damage caused by such divisive rhetoric. This type of language not only deepens the rift within the Black community but also invites other racial groups to normalize and accept conversational colorism. Instead of fostering unity, these discussions continue to divide, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and diminishing the progress toward racial equality.
Sadly, moments like this one only push the conversation further away from meaningful dialogue surrounding the gravity of this upcoming presidential election.