Who is Juan Williams? The Hill columnist slammed for calling Joe Biden the ‘third Black president’
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Social media is slamming Juan Williams, the political analyst for Fox News Channel, for his latest column published in The Hill. Williams hailed President Joe Biden as America's "third black President" in his online column.
Throughout the column, he praised Biden for "elevating Black people," writing, "Biden's record includes real help for Black America."
Joe Biden is our third Black president https://t.co/3YIHsNvNXJ
— Juan Williams (@TheJuanWilliams) October 11, 2023
Is Juan Williams a Republican?
Williams, a senior political analyst for America's conservative news channel Fox News, also writes for America's leading newspapers and magazines.
His political ideology is often attributed to a mixture of traditional Democratic views blended with conservative ones.
In a 2016 conversation with Fox News's political commentator Stuart Varney, Williams said he had two sons in the Republican party, and so he saw himself joining the party.
What is The Hill column about?
Williams began his The Hill column by mentioning how novelist Toni Morrison labeled Bill Clinton "the first Black president" 25 years ago. So, as per that standard, "President Joe Biden is our nation's third Black president."
According to Williams, Biden is worried about bringing Black voters to the polls. His 2024 campaign ads aim to increase his support from Black and Latino voters.
The column mentions how Biden tapped into the aspirational instincts of the Black community by nominating Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court - the first Black women in history.
Williams also mentioned Biden's achievements like reducing the Black unemployment rate.
"The faster rate of creation of Black-owned small business in the last 25 years...an increase in Black enrollment in government-sponsored health care plans and a double-digit reduction in Black child poverty," he wrote.
Internet slams Williams for his racial comment
Netizens didn't take kindly to Williams' comments in The Hill column, with some users criticizing him for mentioning race.
A user tweeted, "How would you reduce the value of a president under the lenses of race? Your statement is what is so wrong in our country: division, hate, and more!"
How would you reduce the value of a president under the lenses of race? Your statement is what is so wrong in our country: division, hate, and more!
— Designios (@AdrianTroncoso7) October 11, 2023
Another user asked Williams, "Why would you write something so disrespectful? Are you folks trying to insult and alienate Black Americans."
Why would you write something so disrespectful? Are you folks trying to insult and alienate Black Americans!
— Kunta’s left foot (@Babycoltrane1) October 9, 2023
A third user said, "Whatever you say loser. Get off X and get a life."
While a fourth user stated, "Come on Mr. Williams, we can do better than make statements like Joe Biden is the third black president. Let's be better and get on code."
Come on Mr. Williams, we can do better than make statements like Joe Biden is the third black president. Let’s be better and get on code.
— Dr. Michael J. Winfield, Sr. (@DrMichaelJWinf1) October 10, 2023
A user mocked Williams, asking, "Nothing racist with that comment huh?"