New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and Hillary Clinton took part in a skit Saturday night that appeared to poke fun at “colored people’s time,” the stereotype that black people are chronically late.
De Blasio introduced his “home girl Hillary” during a skit for the Inner Circle Show, an annual event held at the New York Hilton in which politicians and reporters act, sing and make fools of themselves.
De Blasio’s skit spoofed the popular Broadway musical “Hamilton.”
“I just have to say thanks for the endorsement, Bill,” Clinton said when she took the stage, adding, “took you long enough.”
De Blasio, who ran Clinton’s 2000 Senate campaign, received some flak last year for delaying his endorsement of Clinton for president.
The progressive mayor, whose wife is black, then responded with a ham-handed joke making fun of the stereotype that black people are often running late.
“I was running on CP time,” de Blasio responded to Clinton.
The audience is heard groaning at the remark, which was an apparent reference to “colored people’s time.”
Another actor — a black man playing the character of former Vice President Aaron Burr — chimed in: “I don’t like jokes like that, Bill.”
Clinton stepped into the scripted exchange.
“Cautious politician time,” she said. “I’ve been there.”
A few Twitter users flagged de Blasio’s comment and expressed surprise that he would make a racially-charged joke.
WATCH (JOKE STARTS AT 8:20):