Whether you watched it live or tried to avoid it to maintain your sanity, the recent CNN presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on Thursday (June 27) has been hard to ignore. The debate’s aftermath has been a hot topic, and even BET Awards host Taraji P. Henson joined the conversation during the Sunday (June 30) broadcast.
While Biden’s performance received mixed reviews, Trump’s numerous false claims and ongoing demonization of immigrants also drew significant attention. Among his controversial statements was the claim that immigrants are “taking Black jobs.”
“They’re taking Black jobs now, and it could be 18, it could be 19, and even 20 million people,” Trump said. “They’re taking Black jobs and they’re taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.” Economists across the political spectrum have pointed out that there’s no data to support the idea that immigrants are taking jobs that would otherwise go to U.S. citizens.
Opening the BET Awards with a parody of Kendrick Lamar’s hit single “Not Like Us,” Henson changed the lyrics to “it’s about us” and donned a red hoodie in homage to K.Dot. During her opening monologue, she took a jab at Trump’s “Black jobs” comment.
“[This is] a show packed full of all-stars with Black jobs. Whatever that means,” Henson remarked dryly. “But clearly we know there’s a difference – thanks for the info, but we already knew it.”
Later in the show, comedian and actor B. Simone had some fun with Trump’s “Black jobs” comment, asking the audience whether jobs like TSA agent, TV judge, and hairstylist were “Black jobs.” (The answers: Yes, yes, and yes.)
Henson’s witty critique set the tone for a night of celebration and commentary, proving that the BET Awards remain a platform for both entertainment and social discourse.
