UPDATE: NAACP calls on corporate backers of Tommy Tuberville to take action
Popular Information is a three-person newsletter, but we can rattle the cages of the most powerful people in the world. You can support this work — and help us do more of it — with a paid subscription. On Saturday, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) delivered a racist diatribe during a political rally in Nevada. Tuberville described Black Americans as "people that do the crime." Yesterday's Popular Information revealed Tuberville's corporate backers, a group that includes Blue Origin, the space company owned by Jeff Bezos. Our reporting was featured on Tuesday by the NAACP. The venerable civil rights organization called on corporations to prove their commitment to racial equality "in moments just like this" with "action." It's equally important for the so-called "DE& I focused" corporations to display their stance based on who and what they are aligned with in moments just like this.
Prove it with your actions! We are keeping receipts on WHO and WHAT you choose to say silent on.
#ThisIsPower Judd Legum @JuddLegum But Tuberville's corporate supporters, including Home Depot, Pfizer, BAE Systems, UPS, Leidos, and Tysons Food, have thus far all remained silent. Perhaps they believe that the controversy surrounding Tuberville, who will fade away. In any event, they are not yet compelled to let Tuberville's overt racism interfere with their relationship with the Senator, who will be in office until at least 2026. The conspicuous silence of Adam LaxaltTuberville is ignoring media inquiries about his comments. On Twitter, he called the event a "fantastic night," but has otherwise stayed silent. At this point, it's safe to say that Tuberville does not feel the need to clarify or apologize. One can only conclude that his racist comments about Black Americans reflect what he actually believes. Other Republican officials have largely followed Tuberville's lead and kept quiet. One elected Republican who did address it, Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE), said Tuberville's remarks were not racist. He advised Tuberville to be more "polite" in the future. And Alabama GOP chairman John Wahl offered this quasi-defense of Tuberville:
Wahl did not specify what "context" would make Tuberville's remarks acceptable. Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL), one of two Black Republicans in the House, also defended Tuberville. "As a coach and mentor to countless Black men, Tommy Tuberville has done more to advance Black lives than most people, especially in the Democratic Party," Donalds said. Laxalt has advanced racist narratives himself during his Senate campaign. Specifically, Laxalt has advanced the "Great Replacement" theory, a conspiracy promoted by white nationalists that Democrats are seeking to replace white people with non-white immigrants as part of a political strategy. This is what Laxalt said during an October 2021 campaign appearance:
In an ad released by the Laxalt campaign last month, Laxalt appears alongside Brandon Judd, the president of the National Border Patrol Council. In an April appearance on Fox News, Judd promoted the Great Replacement theory. "I believe that [Democrats are] trying to change the demographics of the electorate; that's what I believe they’re doing," Judd said. "They want to stay in power, and the only way to stay in power is to continue to stay elected." USA Today noted that Judd was advancing a "trope" embraced by "American white supremacists and other racist extremists for decades." Laxalt may be able to avoid answering questions about Tuberville's racism because he largely limits his media appearances to friendly right-wing outlets like Fox News. As of Tuesday, Fox News had not mentioned Tuberville's remarks at Laxalt's rally in any of its coverage, according to a search of TVEyes, a media monitoring service. |
Key phrases
Older messages
How will Tommy Tuberville's corporate backers respond to his racist diatribe?
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
On Saturday, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) appeared at a rally in Minden, Nevada, to support the Republican nominee for Senate, Adam Laxit. During his speech at the event, which also featured Donald
Who is really financing Herschel Walker's campaign?
Monday, October 10, 2022
On Friday, Nathalie Jacoby tweeted that Home Depot had donated $1.75 million to the Georgia US Senate campaign of Herschel Walker (R). Jacoby, a self-described "Democrat" who offers advice on
How anonymous donors are dominating the 2022 midterm elections
Thursday, October 6, 2022
One of the most powerful groups in the 2022 midterm elections is the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), the Super PAC controlled by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The SLF is spending tens of millions of
The other Herschel Walker story
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
On Monday evening, the Daily Beast reported that Herschel Walker, the Republican nominee for US Senate in Georgia, paid for a woman he was dating to get an abortion in 2009. The story was significant
Criminally deceptive
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
In their efforts to seize control of the House and Senate, Republicans around the country are attacking their Democratic opponents on criminal justice issues. The focus on "crime and safety"
You Might Also Like
UK's Investigatory Powers Bill to become law despite tech world opposition [Mon Apr 29 2024]
Monday, April 29, 2024
Hi The Register Subscriber | Log in The Register {* Daily Headlines *} 29 April 2024 secret agent eavesdrops using headphones plugged into an audio centre mounted with tape reels (illustration)
'Stop apologizing and do something, Portugal'
Monday, April 29, 2024
what happened last week in Asia, Africa and the Americas Hey, this is Sham, your very own news curator. I have a quick survey prepared, so you can tell me in my face what you like and don't like
QAnon Was Born Out of the Sex Ad Moral Panic That Took Down Backpage.com
Sunday, April 28, 2024
For years, the political establishment opportunistically railed against sex trafficking. Then came Pizzagate. Most Read QAnon Was Born Out of the Sex Ad Moral Panic That Took Down Backpage.com Trevor
Monday Briefing: Plans for Gaza’s future
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Plus, European countries crack down on China's influence. View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story Ad Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition April 29, 2024 Author Headshot By
Guest Newsletter: Five Books
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Five Books features in-depth author interviews recommending five books on a theme Guest Newsletter: Five Books By Sylvia Bishop • 28 Apr 2024 View in browser View in browser Five Books features in-
GeekWire's Most-Read Stories of the Week
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Catch up on the top tech stories from this past week. Here are the headlines that people have been reading on GeekWire. ADVERTISEMENT GeekWire SPONSOR MESSAGE: Science Firsthand: Learn how Bristol
🍿 The Hardy Boys on Acid
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Plus: 'The Lord of the Rings' Extended Cut is returning to theaters.
10 Things That Delighted Us: From Cardboard Bed Frames to Compact Makeup Stacks
Sunday, April 28, 2024
The most useful, thoughtful, and just plain fun things we uncovered this week. The Strategist Every product is independently selected by editors. If you buy something through our links, New York may
LEVER WEEKLY: Pentagon Grifts And Zombie Pipelines
Sunday, April 28, 2024
From insurance meltdowns and zombie pipelines to Pentagon grifts, here's all the news from The Lever this week. LEVER WEEKLY: Pentagon Grifts And Zombie Pipelines By The Lever • 28 Apr 2024 View in
Birds
Sunday, April 28, 2024
So hot right now ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏