‘What Changed?’ Charlamagne Hammers ‘Donkey of the Day’ Hakeem Jeffries for Renouncing Medicare for All Support
Charlamagne tha God dubbed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D) his “Donkey of the Day” on his radio show on Tuesday because the liberal lawmaker flip-flopped on supporting Medicare for All legislation.
The New York City radio host blasted Jeffries for being a sellout for “corporate PAC money” after he used to seem like a cool politician who cared about the little guy and was able to rattle off Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z lyrics. Charlamagne lamented Jeffries has changed since he first got into office — which he said was made clear by the lawmaker’s appearance on Meet the Press last weekend, when he said he did not support Medicare for All anymore.
“I have a question for Hakeem Jeffries in regards to Medicare for All: Simply, what changed?” Charlamagne asked.
He then pointed out Jeffries had cosponsored government-funded universal healthcare bills in 2019 and 2021.
“Once again, what changed? What did you learn between 2021 and now that changed your mind?” Charlamagne said. “Did the economics change? Did you discover something about Medicare for All you didn’t know when you sponsored it? Did America’s healthcare system suddenly get better? We know the answer to that!””
His segment came two days after Jeffries bashed President Donald Trump for America having a “broken” healthcare system during his NBC interview. Jeffries said citizens need “something better,” but he had moved away from thinking the answer was Medicare for All.
“Just to be very clear though, as a Democratic leader in the House, would you vote for or against Medicare for All?” host Kristen Welker asked.
Jeffries smirked and paused for three seconds before answering.
“I think as you’ve, uh, indicated in your question to me, it’s not legislation I currently am cosponsoring or that I support,” Jeffries said.
His answer didn’t sit well with Charlamagne. The Breakfast Club host said he believed politicians are “absolutely allowed to change their minds,” but he was skeptical Jeffries pivoted for the right reasons.
“Today you’re the leader of the House Democrats and could potentially become Speaker of the House, but you appear to be down with corporate America, not the people,” Charlamagne said. “So I have to ask, did your beliefs change when your titlte changed? Because that’s what people hate about politics.”
Watch above.
Jason Cohen contributed to this story.
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