The 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and current candidate for the United States Senate from Georgia, Herschel Walker, responded to MSNBC contibutor Elie Mystal, who referred to Walker as a “negro” in a recent segment on MSNBC.
Herschel Walker poses with Brett Giroir at the White House Field Day Event with Presidential Fitness Council Photo Credit: United States Department of Health and Human Services, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Mystal appeared on MSNBC’s The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross and was asked about the Georgia Senate race where he said, “It’s going to be a close election in Georgia because Walker has the backing of the Republicans.”
He continued, “Now, you ask why are Republicans backing this man who’s so clearly unintelligent, who so clearly doesn’t have independent thoughts, but that’s actually the reason. Walker is going to do what he’s told.”
“And that’s what Republicans like. That’s what Republicans want from their negroes. To do what they’re told,” he said. “And Walker presents exactly as a person who lacks independent thoughts, lacks an independent agenda, lacks an ability to grasp policies, and he’s just going to go in there and vote like Mitch McConnell tells him to vote.”
MSNBC Contributor Elie Mystal rips into Republican, Trump-backed candidate Herschel Walker and the GOP. Says Walker is only a candidate because he does what he’s told, and “that’s what Republicans want from their Negroes”. pic.twitter.com/sKGp3VKITS
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) July 31, 2022
This isn’t the first time Mystal has criticized Walker. Back in April he wrote an article in The Nation titled “The Herschel Walker Senate Campaign Is an Insult to Black People.”
While sharing the article to social media, he tweeted, “Herschel Walker is a caricature of what white Republicans think Black people look like. This shambling tool will not win Georgia for white folks. But voter suppression might, and it’s not clear white media will spot the difference.”
Elie Mystal Twitter
In the actual article he begins it off writing, “Herschel Walker, the football star turned Georgia Senate candidate, is an animated caricature of a Black person drawn by white conservatives. Walker is what they think of us, and they think we’re big, ignorant, and easily manipulated.
Mystal continues, “They think we’re shady or criminal. They think we’re tools to be used. The Walker campaign exists as a political minstrel show: a splashy rendition of what white Republicans think Black people look and sound like.”
Elie Mystal via MSNBC YouTube
Walker responded to Mystal in a video he shared to Twitter. He prefaced the video writing, “My response to MSNBC and the man who called me the N word.”
“Reverend Raphael Warnock and the left wing crazies believe America is a fundamentally bad country full of racist people. But you and I know this is a great country, full of good people,” he added.
My response to @MSNBC and the man who called me the N word. @ReverendWarnock and the left wing crazies believe America is a fundamentally bad country full of racist people. But you and I know this is a great country, full of good people. #gasen pic.twitter.com/JCDsQr19Jh
— Herschel Walker (@HerschelWalker) August 1, 2022
In the video, Walker says, “Good morning, you know a lot of people have been asking me to say something about the man on MSNBC that called me an N word. Here’s what I’ve got to say about that. Shame on MSNBC and shame on him.”
“I’m going to pray for both of them because they need Jesus,” Walker said. “When I saw what he said it reminded me of the differences between myself and my opponent, Senator Warnock and the left wing crazies that believe America is fundamentally a bad country full of racist people.”
“They want to divide us, turn us against each other,” Walker declared. “We have our problems, but we can solve them together. You know, this is a good country full of good people. With God’s help we are going to bring the people of Georgia back together. Let’s make this a great day. God bless.”
Herschel Walker, an all-star athlete and competitor, tells a story from his childhood at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 17, 2014. Walker shared his personal story to motivate others to achieve their best in the face of personal challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz/Released) Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Mystal fired back on Twitter writing, “I of course did not call Herschel Walker ‘the N word.’ But once again, you sell the play here. He’s trying to appeal to conservative whites who believe ‘all black people use the n-word, why can’t I?’ He’s trying to validate their racial hangups, and play a victim.”
Elie Mystal Twitter
In a subsequent tweet Mystal wrote, “Of course, none of this is surprising when you look at his campaign, that has used lies and deceit in the place of policies or sentence structure.”
“I maintain that Walker is insulting to ACTUAL BLACK CONSERVATIVES, who have actual policies and hopes and syntax,” he added.
Elie Mystal Twitter
RELATED: UFC Star Derek Brunson Slams Dallas Drag Event For Having Children In Attendance
He then took issue with Walker’s shirt writing, “Also, and I’m just noticing this, who the f*** wears a “Team Me” shirt? Who the f*** does that while running to represent OTHER PEOPLE?”
Elie Mystal Twitter
In another tweet, Mystal wrote, “Welcome, racist whites, sent here by Herschel Walker.”
He then mocked prayer and God writing, “Be forewarned that for every 10,000 prayers I receive from neo-Confederates, God grants me another Supreme Court justice. It’s a deal we made back in 2000.”
Elie Mystal Twitter
What do you make of Herschel Walker’s response to Mystal? What about Mystal’s response to Walker?