Mike Epps is one person who was “glad” that the longest government shutdown in U.S. history placed a pause on SNAP benefits. Unsurprisingly, he’s catching a lot of hell over it.
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Appearing on The Breakfast Club, the comedian argued that government aid might be more harmful than helpful for Black people.
“I told people when these food stamps and stuff get cut off, ‘Don’t worry about that,’” Epps said.”See, Black people, we’ve been getting our shit cut off. We’ve been getting our doors kicked in and stuff. This is not for us.”
“So don’t take this as personal about the food stamps and all that. I’m actually glad they’re cutting some of these n***as off food stamps because some of us need to not be on food stamps because it’s a trickle-down effect,” he continued.
According to Epps, relying on SNAP benefits can lead to unhealthy lifestyles for recipients, such as consuming food that leads to cancer.
“You get the food stamps, then you go buy the food that gives you cancer, then you eat the food that gives you cancer, then you’re sad, you’re walking around here upset, your diet’s fucked up,” he said. “Now, I’m gonna tell you some honest God truth. Your diet done sent a lot of n***as to prison.”
When Charlamagne the God said that Epps would be called “MAGA Mike” and be viewed as the new poster boy of Fox News, the comedian was unbothered.
“No, they can’t say that about me. See, that’s one thing about me and little Boosie Badazz: we can’t be canceled.”
“F**k the internet! … and everybody out there that think they wanna be mad and say something: f**k you, man,” Epps said.
Following his comments, the reaction from X (formerly Twitter) was swift from the Black community, who shared their varied perspectives on the hot-button issue.
One user shared that she agreed with Epps’ views on people becoming dependent on SNAP benefits.
“I agree 1000000% with Mike Epps. Food Stamps are enabling most of these folks. @breakfastclubam,” the user wrote.
Another wrote, “Mike Epps said, ‘Ever since the food stamps were cut off, I’ve seen a bunch of ladies go on dates that they wouldn’t have gone on.”
One user spoke about how nutritional deficiencies hurt more people than those who receive SNAP benefits.
“I think nutritionist issues hurt everybody if it’s processed food, fast food, you know, caffeine, and not like healthy food,” the post read.
Another user took issue with Epps’ take and accused him of being another celebrity falling for “conspiracy theories.”
“Mike Epps said some real weird shit about food stamps, and I hate when black people get to that weird stage in having money when they start the conspiracy theories,” the user wrote.
After a 43-day face-off, the government shutdown ended on Nov. 12, when President Donald Trump signed a funding bill into law. CBS Austin reported that most states will start receiving SNAP benefits potentially within 24 hours of Trump signing the budget bill. New York and Texas already started handing out partial SNAP payments earlier this week.
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