Janet Jackson Fires Spokesman Amid Kamala Harris Controversy Over Racial Identity Comments
The ongoing saga surrounding pop icon Janet Jackson’s comments about Vice President Kamala Harris took another turn this Monday as Jackson fired her spokesman, Mo Elmasri, following his unauthorized apology for remarks that Jackson made about Harris’s racial identity. The incident has sparked a whirlwind of public debate, with Jackson distancing herself from the statements that led to widespread controversy.
The Comments That Sparked the Firestorm
The controversy began last week when Jackson, 58, gave an interview to The Guardian in which she made remarks questioning Vice President Harris’s racial identity. “I heard that Kamala Harris is not actually Black,” Jackson said. “That’s what I heard, that she’s Indian. Her father’s white. That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days. I was told that they discovered her father was white.”
Jackson’s comments echoed a similar claim made by former President Donald Trump, who recently said, “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black.” Trump’s statements stirred controversy last month, and Jackson’s interview appeared to reignite the debate over Harris’s identity.
Harris, the first woman of both Black and Indian descent to serve as Vice President, was born to Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian-born mother, and Donald J. Harris, a Jamaican-born father. Despite the clear documentation of her heritage, Harris’s racial identity has been the subject of political attacks, echoing the racially charged false allegations faced by former President Barack Obama, whose birth in the United States was questioned during his tenure.
The Unauthorized Apology
Just a day after Jackson’s interview was published, her spokesman Mo Elmasri issued a public apology on her behalf, attempting to walk back her remarks. According to a report by BuzzFeed, the statement read: “Janet Jackson would like to clarify her recent comments. She recognizes that her statements regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial identity were based on misinformation. Janet respects Harris’s dual heritage as both Black and Indian and apologizes for any confusion caused. She values the diversity Harris represents and understands the importance of celebrating that in today’s society. Janet remains committed to promoting unity and understanding.”
While the apology seemed to aim for damage control, it was issued without Jackson’s approval. This led to Jackson firing Elmasri, citing disagreements between him, her, and her brother Randy Jackson, who currently serves as her manager. Elmasri confirmed his dismissal to The Daily Beast, stating, “Janet Jackson fired me due to disagreements… after her meeting with The Guardian and her unbalanced statements. That’s all I can say.”
Elmasri also shared that he had been bombarded with angry phone calls from people expressing support for Vice President Harris in the aftermath of Jackson’s comments.
The Fallout
Janet Jackson’s firing of Elmasri has only intensified public scrutiny over her original comments. Reports indicate that Jackson is deeply connected with her brother Randy, with both siblings still grieving the recent loss of their brother Tito. Sources close to Jackson told TMZ that she has yet to address Elmasri’s dismissal publicly, and it remains unclear if she will issue her own statement clarifying her views on the matter.
The debate over Vice President Harris’s racial identity has resurfaced at a politically charged moment, as Harris faces criticism not just from Republican opponents but also from public figures questioning her heritage. Harris has largely brushed off the criticism, insisting that it is not credible and calling for her detractors to focus on policy issues instead.
With this latest chapter in the Jackson-Harris controversy, the focus is sure to remain on both figures as the 2024 election draws closer, and debates over race and identity continue to play a significant role in the political landscape.