Angela Rye Tells CNN White Voters Should Be Held ‘Accountable’ if Trump Wins Election

CNN guest and political commentator Angela Rye stirred controversy on Saturday, stating that white voters should not escape accountability if Donald Trump wins the presidency in the upcoming election

Rye made her remarks during a discussion with anchor Victor Blackwell, stressing that she does not want to see another Women’s March with “pussy hats” if the election results go awry.

Angela Rye speaking at the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 7, 2024. Getty Images for ESSENCE

Rye’s comments came in response to a conversation about former President Barack Obama’s recent criticism of Black men for not offering enough support to Vice President Kamala Harris. When Blackwell asked whether Obama’s remarks were justified, Rye shifted the focus, arguing that the real accountability lies with white voters.

“What I think is a mistake is to let white folks escape the accountability that they must face for not showing up to save democracy themselves,” Rye declared on CNN.

The liberal commentator went on the rant while talking to anchor Victor Blackwell about former President Barack Obama taking black men to task for not backing Vice President Kamala Harris enough.

She went on to say that white voters often get distracted by trivial issues, such as whether a candidate wears a flag lapel pin or visibly pledges allegiance to the flag, instead of focusing on more significant matters.

Rye continued by asserting that the responsibility for “saving democracy” should rest on the shoulders of the country’s largest demographic—white men and women. She expressed her frustration with performative activism, adding, “I don’t want to see a women’s march with pussy hats come January if something doesn’t go right. What I want to see is them march themselves to the polls, including today.”

Her reference to the Women’s March harkened back to 2017, when millions of women donned pink knit hats, known as “pussy hats,” to protest Donald Trump’s inauguration and presidency.

Following her on-air remarks, Rye doubled down on her stance via Instagram, saying, “The media seems eager to lay a very close election at the feet of Black men. NOT ON OUR WATCH!”

With Election Day just weeks away, Trump’s campaign has been actively working to make inroads with Black voters, aiming to sway key demographics in the race. Rye’s comments highlight the ongoing debates around voter responsibility and demographic accountability as the nation approaches the election.