Republican Maryland congressional candidate Kim Klacik sparked a fiery exchange on ABC’s “The View,” taking direct aim at host Joy Behar over her previous use of blackface.
A conversation about the impact of coronavirus on the black community quickly spiraled into a shouting match about Behar’s use of blackface. (RELATED: ‘Black People Don’t Have To Vote Democrat’: Baltimore Congressional Candidate Kim Klacik Goes Into Detail On Her Viral Video)
WATCH:
Cohost Sara Haines began the conversation by asking about veteran journalist Bob Woodward’s book and the audio of President Donald Trump saying that he preferred to “downplay” the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We see how the virus has disproportionately affected the African-American community. Do you think continually downplaying the threat cost lives?” Haines asked.
Klacik responded by saying that the black community was certainly more heavily impacted, especially in place like Baltimore where some neighborhoods did not have grocery stores or immediate access to other necessities.
“They don’t have what they need around them in their neighborhoods, and so yeah. I believe a coronavirus pandemic would affect us more. Look at my campaign ad. Look at the living conditions,” Klacik explained. “That would affect us more, absolutely. That’s why I’m running for office.”
“Come on, Kim. Excuse me,” Behar jumped in then, saying, “He told Bob Woodward that it was a very serious issue, and it’s airborne and that it was terrible, and then he went out and told the American people, don’t wear masks. It’s all going to go away. You have to put some blame on your president. I’m sorry. You’re putting it on something extraneous.”
“Is this Joy speaking?” Klacik shot back. “The same Joy that paraded around in blackface not too long ago?”
“That’s not true. Excuse me — excuse me,” Behar pushed back . “The black community had my back. They know that that was not blackface. That was an homage. Oh, please.”
Klacik argued that the black community had her back as well, but Hostin interrupted.
“The black community did not vote for you. The black community did not vote for you. What planet are you living on?” Hostin raised her voice.
“Sunny, can I speak?” Klacik pointed out that the special election had taken place when Maryland was still locked down due to the pandemic.
“Wow,” Hostin stretched the word out in a sarcastic tone, spinning in her chair. “Wow.”
“Can I speak, or are you just going to scream over me?” Klacik asked as Behar and Hostin continued to shout her down.
“Listen, Kim, good luck to you,” Behar gave up and called for a wrap. “Thanks to Kim Klacik. We’ll be right back.”
“That was very immature, but thank you for having me,” Klacik replied as the segment ended.
