2022 New York Times DealBook NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Van Jones on stage at the 2022 New York Times DealBook on November 30, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for The New York Times) Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - November 27, 2022 LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Kanye West is seen on November 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)
A correction was issued to this article at 3 p.m. ET to reflect new information from Jacob Kornbluh, the original source of the information. Van Jones ” did not apologize for alleged Black silence about Kanye.”
Van Jones was misquoted by Jacob Kornbluh, a senior political reporter, during coverage of UJA Federation of New York’s Wall Street Dinner on Monday night. Kornbluh has issued an apology for the misquote.
The story, including the misquote, was also reported by eJewish Philanthropy. The event reportedly raised $31 million as a crowd of about 1,400 people listened to themed talks on aiding Ukraine, the legacy of Covid-19, improving food insecurity, and combating antisemitism.
Both reports claimed the political commentator apologized on behalf of his “community” for Ye. The artist has spewed controversial commentary for months, including anti-Semitic viewpoints and showing love to Adolf Hilter.
The commentator responded to the misquote on Wednesday:
He clarified that plenty of Black folks have condemned Ye.
Black Twitter moved quickly on the initial tweet, slamming Jones for allegedly speaking on their behalf. Though the event happened on Monday, the moment started picking up steam on Tuesday evening. By Wednesday, Jones was a trending topic on Twitter. The reactions ranged from jokey jokes to critical think pieces–and most of the online feedback is not in favor of Van’s blanket apology.
Writer Michael Harriot tore Jones to shreds, calling him “apologetically Black,” in a sarcastic opinion piece for The Grio.
