Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has suggested that President Barack Obama is not a “real black president.”
The 84-year-old billionaire posted a tweet Wednesday night that Republican candidate Ben Carson would be “a real black president who can properly address the racial divide.”
Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide? And much else.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 8, 2015
Murdoch’s usage of the word “real” caused many on social media to believe Murdoch was questioning President Obama’s race.
Rupert Murdoch explaining what a “real” black president would be…yeah, that’s mighty white of him.
— Dorianna Gray (@blurbette) October 8, 2015
Murdoch wasn’t merely taking a swipe at Obama’s racial authenticity. He was pushing the notion of Black U.S. President = Magical Negro.
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) October 8, 2015
To say that Obama has failed because he hasn’t fixed America’s racial issues is proof that you hold him to a standard no human could reach.
— Touré (@Toure) October 8, 2015
Obama, the country’s first Black President, has had his citizenship and leadership challenged since winning office. Obama was criticized for comments about the shooting deaths of both Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown. In 2012, he said: “If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.”
After receiving backlash, eleven hours later Murdoch issued an apology:
Apologies! No offence meant. Personally find both men charming.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) October 8, 2015
