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Join Telegram ChannelBlack church coalition reverses call for suspension of MSNBC and investigation Reverend Al Sharpton after her nonprofit accepted $500,000 in donations from Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign.
A week after writing that Sharpton's actions were a “moral stain on the integrity of the Black Church,” the National Black Church Initiative reversed course, calling its previous statement “inappropriate” and regretting that ” misstep.”
THE Washington Free Beacon announced that the Harris campaign had made two $250,000 donations to the nonprofit National Action Network in Sharpton. The donations, made on September 5 and October 1, preceded a friendly meeting Sharpton conducted with Harris on October 20.
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke amicably with MSNBC's Al Sharpton on October 20. (MSNBC screenshot)
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The National Black Church Initiative criticized Sharpton in a statement shared on its Facebook page late Tuesday, saying the payment raised “significant moral and journalistic ethics concerns.” The coalition, which says it represents 150,000 churches across the country, said it would “support the suspension of Rev. Sharpton” until an investigation is completed.
But on Monday, the initiative retracted its previous statement, writing in part that it “was not aware of the existing contract or agreement with black organizations, including the Rev. Sharpton National Action Network, to conduct nonpartisan Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts ahead of the vote.” elections.”
“We recognize the critical importance of this work. After further research, we found no evidence that any candidate paid for their endorsement or support, nor that NBC was engaged in partisan political activities related to Vice President Harris' appearance on PoliticsNation Additionally, “We understand that Vice President Harris has previously made appearances on PoliticsNation with Rev. Al Sharpton over the years,” the statement continued.
The National Black Church Initiative did not respond to emailed questions about the reversal. MSNBC, Sharpton and the National Action Network also did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Rev. Al Sharpton welcomes then-Senator. Kamala Harris at the podium before a meeting of the Sharpton National Action Network on November 13, 2018 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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MSNBC suspended Joe Scarborough and Keith Olbermann in 2010 because of political donations. The network previously told the Free Beacon it was “unaware of donations” made to Sharpton's nonprofit, but did not say whether the host was reprimanded.
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