Radio host Charlamagne tha God tore into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, calling them “mostly garbage” in a searing rant on the Daily Show on Wednesday.
“Here’s the part where you all stop all stop applauding everything I say. The truth about DEI is that, although, it’s well-intentioned, it’s mostly garbage. Okay?” said the Breakfast Club host.
Charlamagne, 45, directed part of his critique towards the live-action remake of the Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey, who is Black. The 24 year-old actress received a barrage of hateful and racist messages criticizing her for playing a character who appears white in the cartoon version of the film.
“It’s kind of like the Black ‘Little Mermaid.’ Just because racists hate it, doesn’t mean it’s good,” he said.
He also claimed that multiple studies showed that DEI was ineffective, and just a PR stunt for corporations. “Over 900 studies have shown that DEI programs don’t make the workplace better for minorities. In fact, it can actually make things worse because of the backlash effect,” he said.
On social media, many peopole chastised Charlamagne for his comments, accusing him of giving cover to racists like Elon Musk, who posted a video of Charlamagne’s comments on the Daily Show.
“My Brother this opinion is not it,” commented journalist Touré on Charlamagne’s Instagram.
“You are so incredibly carless with your wording,” wrote Joel Plummer on the same post. “You have no understanding of how your sloppy use of terms leads to misunderstandings to provide cover for racists.”
Some social media users insinuated that Charlamagne was becoming a “right wing” grifter, name-dropping his recent guest, Candace Owens.
“Charlamagne is trying to slide into the position Candace Owens occupied,” said one social media user. “Saying the talking points that White Supremacists believe in. Pathetic.”
For his part, Charlamagne defended himself and the fact that Elon Musk agreed with him saying, “Now it’s quite possible Elon agrees with me for the right reasons. Watch the video before you start chatting s**t.”