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Home · News

Karl Rove Whitesplains What Barack Obama Should Have Told HBCU Graduates

Rove criticized the former president for the words he imparted to HBCU students, calling it a "political drive-by shooting."
Karl Rove Criticizes Obama For HBCU Graduation Address
By Tanya A. Christian · Updated December 6, 2020

Former White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove is apparently in his feelings about the message that former president Barack Obama gave to the HBCU graduating class of 2020. On Monday, he told the hosts of Fox News’ Fox and Friends that he was disappointed Obama had turned the virtual address into a “political drive-by shooting.” 

“It is so unseemly for a former president to take the virtual commencement ceremony for a series of historically Black colleges and universities and turn it into a political drive-by shooting,” Rove said. 

The Republican strategist was talking specifically about comments Obama made about current leaders. “More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” he said. “A lot them aren’t even pretending to be in charge.”

"It is so unseemly for a former president to take the virtual commencement ceremony for a series of historically black colleges and universities and turn it into a political drive-by shooting" — Karl Rove on Obama's commencement speech in which he indirectly criticized Trump pic.twitter.com/stZamQFhgF

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 18, 2020
Republican strategist Karl Rove criticizes Obama’s decision to speak on the handling of the pandemic during an HBCU graduation speech.

Obama never once calls Trump by name, but many people speculated that the former world leader was talking about his successor. The remarks led to Trump calling Obama “grossly incompetent” and Rove whitesplaing what Obama should have told the graduating students from historically Black institutions.   

“This is a moment where these young graduates could be inspired to a life of service, to recognize that life is going to bring challenges and how we handle the challenges is going to demonstrate our character,” Rove said. “There are lots of positive messages that the former president could have delivered.”

Despite receiving backlash from the right, Obama’s charge to the graduates to create meaningful change did ring positive to most. He reminded the aspiring professionals that they have the ability to lead despite what the status quo may say, and encouraged them to forge boldly out into their future. 

Karl Rove Criticizes Obama For HBCU Graduation Address
LONG BEACH, CA – MAY 18: The CSULB 32nd annual Black Graduation Celebration at The Pyramid in Long Beach on Saturday, May 18, 2019. This is the first of several commencements that will take place next week on campus. The cultural graduation celebrations are held in addition to the traditional university ceremonies and students are invited to partake in 8 different celebrations. (Photo by Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images)

“If the world’s going to get better, it’s going to be up to you,” Obama said. “Nobody can tell you anymore that you should be waiting your turn. Nobody can tell you anymore ‘this is how it’s always been done.’ More than ever, this is your moment—your generation’s world to shape.”

TOPICS:  Barack Obama Donald J. Trump HBCU Graduation Karl Rove pandemic response
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