The Most Disappointing Black Political Sellouts—Ever

From Kanye to Candace Owens, here are the political sellouts doing the most.

We all know that Black folks don’t think alike. However, marginalized communities have it rougher than white folks so their political interests should lie in equality and leveling the playing field. But as we know, that’s not always the case.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Meet Tiffanie Barriere: The Drinking Coach Making History at the NYSE

As Republicans continue to uplift MAGA idealism—which includes white supremacy, xenophobia, control over women’s bodies and capitalism—some Black folks still don’t understand what’s at stake by supporting the GOP. Here are some of the biggest political sellouts and letdowns.

Herschel Walker

Photo: Getty Images Alex Wong

Not only is he a complete buffoon, Herschel Walker is one of the most hypocritical Black conservatives ever. Though he branded himself as a Christian father and husband during his Georgia senate run, multiple women said the ex-football star funded their abortions. Walker also has a history of abusing women and reportedly stole money from his own campaign. He also called Black homes fatherless, denied climate change and lied about his education.

Kanye West

Photo: Getty Images Justin Shin

Kanye West has truly been a huge disappointment. He has declared that “White Lives Matter,” publicly supported Donald Trump and made antisemitic statements that have led to the undoing of his career. West’s 2020 presidential campaign was a shit show in every meaning of the word. The rapper has also stated that he “loves the way Candace Owens thinks” and infamously that slavery was a choice. West has also made several antisemitic remarks.

Tim Scott

Photo: Getty Images Christian Monterrosa

Tim Scott is tried—and failed—to convince the masses to make him the 2024 Republican presidential nominee. He campaigned on the premise that “America isn’t a racist country” (and using his own professional success as evidence of this) and that welfare was worse for Black folks than slavery was. Once he dropped out of the race, Scott quickly endorsed Trump for President and said that he loved him. Ew.

Harrison Floyd

Screenshot: Fox 5 Atlanta

Harrison Floyd, the former director of Black Voices for Trump, is one of the former president’s co-defendants in Fulton County DA Fani Willis’ election interference case. In addition to the Georgia charges, Floyd is facing charges for allegedly aggressively confronting two FBI agents sent to serve him with a grand jury subpoena. Though he is out on bond, Floyd sadly remains a staunch Trump supporter.

Candace Owens

Photo: Getty Images Jason Davis

Candace Owens hosts a podcast for the Daily Wire and is known for uplifting white supremacist ideology. She constantly disparages Black people regardless of the platform, whether it’s insulting Black women rappers, the Black Lives Matter movement a scam, said George Floyd died from a drug overdose and still supports Trump. She truly is the worst.

Azealia Banks

Photo: Getty Images Lexie Moreland

Azealia Banks is known for her outlandish commentary and beefing with just about everybody. However, her political alignment is not a joke. Not only was she a Trump supporter back in 2016, but Banks reaffirmed her support for him just last year. Her reasoning is that Trump would vehemently protect the second amendment and is “funny.”

Jason Whitlock

Photo: Variety

The Fearless with Jason Whitlock host has always spouted hateful rhetoric. He has infamously said that the worst thing someone can be in our current cultural climate is a “heterosexual Christian male,” called transgender people “satanic,” and says he’s hardcore MAGA. The sports journalist turned right-wing fanatic has insisted rappers are part of Satan’s army. Whitlock uses religious beliefs to wrongfully attack others—and was recently called out by Stephen A. Smith for his antics.

Sage Steele

Photo: Getty Images Greg Doherty

The ex-ESPN anchor is a notorious anti-vaxxer, says she“respects the hell” out of Candace Owens and insisted that Barack Obama isn’t really Black because “his Black dad was nowhere to be found.” Sage Steele is also a passionate Trump supporter and has said that white people have been the least racist to her—even though she let UFC fighter Chael Sonnen pull her hair on national television to prove that it was real. She truly is an embarassment.

Clarence Thomas

Photo: Getty Images Drew Angerer

The infamous conservative Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas was accused of sexual misconduct by Anita Hill and helped overturn Roe v. Wade in addition to affirmative action as it pertains to college admissions. Thomas has allegedly taken extravagant gifts from wealthy white benefactors and his wife, Ginni, worked diligently—and illegally—to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Sexyy Red

Photo: Getty Images Scott Dudelson

Not that folks are looking to Sexyy Red for political commentary, but the “Pound Town” rapper made headlines when she went on a conservative podcast to cape for Trump. “I like Trump,” the rapper, whose real name is Janae Wherry, told podcast host Theo Von on “This Past Weekend.” Sexyy also said that the hood supports him because he gave them stimulus checks. It’s factually inaccurate and the emcee does not speak for all Black people.

Mark Ponder

Screenshot: The Independent

Mark Ponder was gullible enough to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6 with other Trump supporters and thought he could get away with it. In reality, he was sentenced to 63 months in prison after he attacked several police officers with a weapon during the Capitol riot. Ponder pleaded guilty to felony assault and received the longest punishment in relation to the violent event.

Daniel Cameron

Photo: Getty Images Jon Cherry

Daniel Cameron is the Trump-backed Republican State Attorney who will throw Black people under the bus if it means getting ahead. The Louisville NAACP had previously called for Cameron’s immediate resignation “for failing to conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor.” Cameron did not charge the four officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor during a botched-no knock warrant attempt in March of 2020. He is also against gun control and pro-life (except in cases of rape and incest).

Harris Faulkner

Photo: Getty Images Terry Wyatt

Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner has ignorantly criticized Black Lives Matter by bringing up cities like Chicago, killings of children and the need to protest “Black-on-Black crime.” Faulker has also stated President Biden “hates at least half” of Americans and had the nerve to claim that immigrants “make our country look like what they left.” Faulker wants to be taken seriously, but her first mistake was agreeing to be on Fox News in the first place.

Eric Johnson

Photo: Dallas Observer

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson changed his political party from Democrat to Republican. For nine years, Johnson served in the Texas Legislature as a Democrat before becoming mayor in 2019. During his time in office, he has fostered a strong relationship with Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. In an op-ed, Johnson wrote that Democratic policies “exacerbate homelessness, coddle criminals and make it harder for ordinary people to make a living.” He is currently going through a messy divorce with wife Nakita Johnson who accused him of having an affair.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Do You Know the Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, the Gorgeous Soul Singer?

Do You Know the Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, the Gorgeous Soul Singer?

The soulful singer, known for hits like “Living All Alone” and “You Know How to Love Me” died just days before her 46th birthday …
How Ray Charles Outsmarted the Industry and Became Ultra Rich

How Ray Charles Outsmarted the Industry and Became Ultra Rich

The Genius of Ray Charles: How a Blind Artist Outmaneuvered the Industry and became a business gangsta …
Why Michael B. Jordan's Oscar Win Isn't Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

Why Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar Win Isn’t Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

While many are ecstatic over Michael B. Jordan’s long-awaited Oscar win, Judge Joe Brown says it’s not all it’s cracked up to be …
A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

Calif. AG Rob Bonta is investigating whether systemic racism impacted how emergency responders reacted to devastating Eaton wildfires …
Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday with Rihanna, is opening up about the eerie connection he had to her home shooting …
New Twist in Nia Long's Allege Stalker Drama

New Twist in Nia Long’s Allege Stalker Drama

‘The Best Man’ actress seeks court protection for her family following a two-year pattern of alleged harassment and a terrifying weekend encounter …
What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

J. Cole said he was “disgusted” that the world turned on Drake during his beef against Kendrick Lamar …
Jay-Z Speaks On The Sexual Assault Lawsuit and How Blue Ivy Showed Support

Jay-Z Speaks On The Sexual Assault Lawsuit and How Blue Ivy Showed Support

Jay-Z doesn’t speak much, but in a rare interview, he’s finally sharing his thoughts about that shocking sexual assault lawsuit lobbed against him and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in 2024 …
Phoenix Police Invented a Gang to Frame 18 Protestors. Now, They’re Walking Away Scot-Free

Phoenix Police Invented a Gang to Frame 18 Protestors. Now, They’re Walking Away Scot-Free

18 Phoenix protesters were arrested in 2020 and was falsely charged as gang members— and the badge-wearing culprits will not face consequences …
During Midterm Political Season, These Black Women Could Make History

During Midterm Political Season, These Black Women Could Make History

From Juilanna Stratton to Keisha Lance Bottoms, these women are looking to make history this upcoming midterm election season …
Prison Bae Jeremy Meeks Speaks Out on the Mugshot That Made Him a Viral Sensation

Prison Bae Jeremy Meeks Speaks Out on the Mugshot That Made Him a Viral Sensation

After going viral in 2014 for his mugshot, Prison Bae Jeremy Meeks is explaining what it was like to go viral while in prison …
Trump Urges Congress to Pass His SAVE Act in Jesus' Name

Trump Urges Congress to Pass His SAVE Act in Jesus’ Name

President Trump is pulling on the faith of Congress members as he pushes a new plan to pass the controversial SAVE Act …
5 Major Music Moments You Won't Want to Miss in the New Michael Jackson Biopic

5 Major Music Moments You Won’t Want to Miss in the New Michael Jackson Biopic

The highly-anticipated Michael Jackson movie is set to hit theaters April 24. Here’s some of the major music moments it’s going to include, based off the trailers! …
Uncle Luke Told The Truth About The Democrats' Black Men Problem

Uncle Luke Told The Truth About The Democrats’ Black Men Problem

Uncle Luke isn’t speculating. He’s reporting what Black men have been saying for years. Just no one was listening …
Black Snape Actor Recalls Death Treats From Harry Potter Fans 

Black Snape Actor Recalls Death Treats From Harry Potter Fans 

British star Paapa Essidu is finally responding to the racist backlash he’s received since signing on to portray this classic Harry Potter anti-hero …
Hey Timothée Chalamet! Ballet is Alive, and Black Women are Sustaining It

Hey Timothée Chalamet! Ballet is Alive, and Black Women are Sustaining It

Timothée Chalamet may think ballet is dead, but these Black women have used their talent and artistry to keep Alvin Ailey’s commitment to the genre alive …
Black Models on 'The Price is Right' Share Shocking Experiences

Black Models on ‘The Price is Right’ Share Shocking Experiences

Kathleen Bradley and Claudia Jordan, two of the few Black models working on ‘The Price Is Right’ is spilling all the sordid details about their time working on the show! …
A Sad Ending to the Breonna Taylor Case

A Sad Ending to the Breonna Taylor Case

Officers accused of faking court documents for the “no-knock” warrant leading to Breonna Taylor’s killing have now received good news …
Meagan Good Finally Reveals Wedding Photos to Jonathan Majors

Meagan Good Finally Reveals Wedding Photos to Jonathan Majors

Meagan Good and Jonathan Major wed during a private ceremony in March 2025. And now we’ve got a look at their love-filled day! …
Justin Timberlake’s 2024 DWI Bodycam Is Finally Out, and It’s Hilarious

Justin Timberlake’s 2024 DWI Bodycam Is Finally Out, and It’s Hilarious

Newly released bodycam footage shows Justin Timberlake during his 2024 Hamptons arrest for driving while intoxicated, capturing his interactions with Sag Harbor police and fans’ reactions online …