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This past weekend, conservative Twitter users expressed their disapproval of President Joe Biden’s assertion that White supremacy poses the ‘most dangerous terrorist threat’ in America. The statement came during a commencement speech at Howard University, a historically Black institution. Critics condemned Biden for using this occasion to exacerbate racial tensions in the United States, rather than promote unity.
The 46th president delivered his speech to the graduating class of Howard University at Washington D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Saturday. In his remarks, he discussed the challenges young graduates face as they venture out into a divided nation. Furthermore, he singled out White supremacy as the primary menace to the country and its citizens.
After emphasizing the perils of White supremacy, Biden sought to reassure his listeners that he wasn’t simply pandering to a Black audience. He underscored the importance of addressing America’s enduring battle with racism since the nation’s founding, citing the historical conflict between the American ideal of equality and the dark realities of racial discrimination.
Biden argued that this struggle is ongoing and has never truly been resolved. He expressed his belief that on the best days, enough citizens have the courage and compassion to stand up for what is good in America — to choose love over hate, unity over division, and progress over regression.
The president then specifically addressed the issue of White supremacy, referencing his inauguration speech when he had taken a stance against this malevolent ideology. He proceeded to call it ‘the most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland.’ The audience responded with enthusiastic applause.
As the crowd’s applause died down, Biden emphasized that his words were not limited to the historically Black educational institution he was addressing: ‘I say this wherever I go.’ This statement was met with laughter from the audience.
During President Biden’s discourse on the perils of ‘White supremacy’ at Howard University, conservatives on Twitter were not laughing. Instead, they expressed their disapproval of what they saw as a divisive approach from the president.
Jon Miltimore, Foundation for Economic Education Managing Editor, took to Twitter and criticized the Democratic Party, claiming that it has utilized racism to win elections throughout history, regardless of its evolving forms.
Influential conservative voice Elijah Schaffer derided Biden’s speech, pointing out that the president had ‘just told a bunch of black people that white supremacy is the greatest threat to America.’
Jake Schneider from RNC Research shared a clip of the speech, branding the president as the ‘divider-in-chief’ for claiming that ‘the most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland is white supremacy’ while addressing the audience at Howard University.
Clay Travis, a journalist for OutKick.com, found Biden’s assertion utterly preposterous. He challenged the notion that rhetoric regarding white supremacy as the greatest threat was a common theme during previous decades in American politics.
Journalist Julie Kelly responded to Biden’s speech by calling him a ‘pathological liar’ who is propped up by the media, thus enabling him to ‘fuel dangerous racial division.’
Miranda Devine, a New York Post journalist, had a short but powerful response to the president’s claim, tweeting, ‘Pure evil.’
President Joe Biden’s words during the commencement speech at Howard University have undoubtedly stirred up strong reactions across the political spectrum, especially among conservative commentators.
It remains to be seen whether discussions about the threat of White supremacy as a serious menace to the United States will become more constructive and nuanced, or continue to be a source of division and disagreement among Americans.
