Sean “Diddy” Combs angered many after he gave Black people some advice about the upcoming general election during an IG Live chat with Naomi Campbell.
Combs shared a piece of that conversation to his Instagram page on Tuesday, April 28, where he said that Black people shouldn’t vote for Joe Biden until he reveals how he’ll improve the lives of Black and brown folks.
It didn’t seem like Combs was just talking about his personal voting choice, it appeared he was speaking to the entire Black community on how to vote, hence the backlash.
“The Black vote is not going to be for free,” he told Campbell. “We’re going to have to see some promises. What are we getting in return for our vote? Nothing has changed for Black America. In order for us to vote for Biden, we can’t be taken for granted like we always are, because we’re supposed to be Democrats or because people are afraid of Trump.”
“It’s whoever is going to take care of our community,” Combs added. “Whoever wants to make a deal. It’s business at this point … Biden needs to make it clear that he’s going to change the lives and quality of life of Black and brown people, or else he can’t get the vote. I will hold the vote hostage if I have to.”
Many who slammed Combs for his advice held the similar opinion that Biden is the only choice next to President Donald Trump and holding the Black vote hostage would give Trump a clear, easy path to staying in the Oval Office.
“Really?? So you rather Trump who has done nothing for Black people but divide the country and taken away resources to help us,” someone wrote on Combs’ Instagram page. “Holding the vote is telling Black people not to vote. Easy for a rich Black man to say who is barely affected if anything may gain with Trump in office.”
“This is bananas,” another person followed. “You’ve gotten rich no matter who is in office but now you want to hold your vote hostage. That’s some clown talk that will give 45 four more years. Rich and famous celeb doesn’t equal smart and a leader.”
“Bro is he crazy,” another comment read. “Why say this now, why didn’t he go on this campaign in the primarys. I just dont get it. We dont have a choice now we have to vote democrat. Why he acting like we have a choice.”
Combs’ message seems to mirror the words of Kanye West, who also said he believes Democrats take the Black vote for granted. West has been a staunch supporter of Trump ever since he won the presidency.
“Own your power,” said West in 2019 at the WSJ Innovator Awards in New York. “Your power is not to just vote Democrat for the rest of our lives. That’s not the power.”
Someone on Combs’ page, made the connection between what he said and West’s stance.
“Do you still hang out with Trump?” that person asked Combs. “You and Kanye are millionaires giving advice from a very dangerous pedestal.”
