Georgia Democratic State Representative Vernon Jones leveled Craig Melvin on Wednesday when the MSNBC host asked Rep. Jones if he is being paid by President Donald Trump to support him.
The conversation became heated when Melvin told Rep. Jones that the president “inherited” an booming economy from the previous administration, before the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“That’s fake news. That’s fake news that he inherited that,” Rep. Vernon Jones fired back at Craig Melvin.
“If you look at the unemployment among African Americans during his years and the Obama years, clearly it was much better. If you look at opportunity zone districts, if you look at financial support to historical colleges, clearly it’s better off under this administration than the previous administration. I don’t want to get caught in the politics, just because I’m a Democrat,” he added.
The MSNBC host interjected to tell the Georgia state representative that he “likes to traffic in facts”, adding: “Much of what you just said is patently false. … This is my show; I’ll ask questions, give me a second.”
“You had me on your show, so let me explain,” Rep. Jones argued. “Don’t cut me off when I’m giving you an answer.” Continued Below
Melvin Craig then asked Rep. Jones: “Are you a paid campaign surrogate? Are you being compensated?”
The Georgia state representative fired back, leveling the MSNBC host. “Let me be clear: You get paid to shape a liberal narrative. You get paid to attack this president. I don’t get a dime for this president. I don’t get a dime from the campaign. Everything I’ve done has been for me and based on my principles,” he told Craig.
“And see, that’s the problem. When an African American– let me finish,” he said while being interrupted. “Sir, don’t ask me that. You only asked me that because I don’t fit your narrative. This president has never offered me anything. I don’t want anything from this president. It’s what I can do for my country”, Rep. Jones said. Video Below
“And maybe you need to accept that other African Americans and others support this president because of his policies. And to insult me to say ‘am I getting paid?’ That is disgraceful! … That’s a representative of MSNBC to keep blacks silent who happen to support this president,” the Georgia state representative said.
“Why can’t I be like white liberals or other whites? Nobody questions if they’re getting paid. Do you ask Democrats do they get paid? Are you getting paid by Joe Biden? Have you ever asked any host over them getting paid by Joe Biden?” Rep. Vernon Jones asked.
Watch:
In April, Rep. Vernon Jones announced his endorsement for President Donald Trump.
“I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Party left me,” Rep. Jones said.
I’m a Georgia State Representative and lifelong Democrat. But in this election, I’ll be casting my vote for @realdonaldtrump.
I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Party left me. #MAGA #KAG #WalkAway pic.twitter.com/BUs4kRZ7JG
— Vernon Jones For Governor (@RepVernonJones) April 15, 2020
