Video shows “white supremacists” shouting slurs at Black gay Republican
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Investigative Report: Black Gay Republican Podcaster Rob Smith Faces Racist and Homophobic Attacks at Turning Point USA Event
In a shocking incident that highlights the ongoing struggle for inclusivity within the Republican Party, Black gay podcaster Rob Smith has alleged that he was subjected to racist and homophobic slurs during his attendance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest event in Phoenix, Arizona. Smith, a vocal supporter of the GOP, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his experience and posted a video capturing the encounter. However, commenters on the platform questioned the authenticity of the incident and even mocked Smith for his affiliation with an anti-gay political party.
Smith’s post on X detailed the confrontation he faced at the event. “Last night in Phoenix, I was confronted and surrounded by some White Supremacists that don’t like gays or blacks in the Republican Party,” he wrote on December 18. “They shouted ‘n****r’ and ‘f****t’ at me to make their point. However, I served in Iraq. I never back down. Ever.”
Accompanying the post was a video in which a group of young white men can be seen mocking Smith as he records himself on his smartphone, sarcastically proclaiming, “I’ve got fans!” The men then began chanting “Gay sex,” which prompted Smith to respond by saying, “Yes, [white nationalist broadcaster] Nick Fuentes loves gay sex.” This led the crowd to boo him, and one individual proceeded to lead the group in chanting “Fa**ot.” The group then switched to chanting “America First,” a slogan associated with former President Donald Trump.
However, skeptics on X questioned the validity of Smith’s claims. One commenter accused him of lying about being called the racial slur, dismissing it as “just a word.” They also criticized Smith for his affiliation with a party that has consistently opposed LGBTQ+ rights. This sentiment was echoed by other commenters who encouraged Smith to reconsider his party affiliation or expressed their lack of surprise at the incident, given the Republican Party’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance.
Despite the skepticism, some Republicans and conservative X users extended apologies to Smith on behalf of their party. Christina Pushaw, the press secretary for Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who has been vocal in his support of the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law, called the men in the video “embarrassing” and “gutter trash.” Chaya Raichik, founder of Libs of TikTok, known for her posts that often incite bombing and death threats, labeled the video as “sick.”
Critics pointed out that Pushaw and Raichik’s anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric aligns with the derogatory language used by the young men. The incident sparked a broader discussion about the Republican Party’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights, with many emphasizing the party’s opposition to same-sex marriage, civil rights protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, transgender military bans, conversion therapy, and support for businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples.
Turning Point USA, the organization behind the AmericaFest event, has also faced criticism for its association with individuals who espouse homophobic and transphobic views. The event featured speakers like Roseanne Barr, a Holocaust denialist; Jason Whitlock, known for his conspiratorial beliefs about Jews and LGBTQ+ people; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a staunch opponent of LGBTQ+ rights; Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host notorious for his bigotry; Vivek Ramaswamy, a highly transphobic Republican presidential candidate; and Jack Posobiec, a promoter of the anti-gay #Pizzagate conspiracy theory.
Turning Point USA’s founder, Charlie Kirk, has been accused of attacking transgender individuals and promoting conspiracy theories about election fraud and COVID-19. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has noted that while TPUSA leaders claim to reject white supremacist ideology, the group continues to attract racists, and known white nationalists have attended their events.
This incident involving Rob Smith sheds light on the struggles faced by marginalized individuals within the Republican Party. It exposes the deep-rooted issues of racism and homophobia that persist despite claims of inclusivity. As the party continues to grapple with its identity, incidents like these serve as a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done to create a truly inclusive political environment for all.
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“racist hate speech incident”
