Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

NewsNation Host Calls Out Dem Strategist For ‘Playing The Race Card’ In Defense Of LA Mayor Karen Bass

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NewsNation host Dan Abrams called out Democratic strategist Lisa Durden on Monday for arguing that Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced criticism over her handling of wildfires due to her race.

Californians have become enraged by Bass traveling to Ghana to attend the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama as flames and high winds devastated Los Angeles. Durden, on “Dan Abrams Live,” said Bass would have skirted backlash and received praise had she been a white man, but Abrams told the Democratic strategist she was wrong.

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“I know for a fact if she was a white male that had traveled to Ghana during this time and then this happened, they’d have been like, ‘Oh, my God.’ They would have cheered for him,” Durden said. “‘He was amazing. He got back here to the states quickly and he called from the phone. He was on top of things.'”

“I will tell you, I wouldn’t be. I would be saying exactly the same thing I’m saying black woman, white male,” Abrams retorted. “And that feels like an excuse — it feels like you’re just playing the race card to try and defend her … you’re playing the race card by saying, ‘I don’t think that she would be criticized if she were a white.'”

Abrams suggested Durden seemed to be the sole individual claiming Bass would have avoided criticism “if she were a white man.”

“There are plenty of us out there saying that this is foul on the play,” Durden responded. She added that most people criticizing Bass “are right-wing individuals,” who “would give her a pass if she were a Republican or a white male,” asserting, “That’s a fact.”

“It’s not a fact,” Abrams replied.

Bass had said at the beginning of her mayoral campaign in 2021 that she would travel to major cities across the U.S. rather than other countries.

“Let’s focus on the fires. Let’s focus on what we need to do for those individuals who are suffering instead of worrying about promises from four years ago,” Durden added. “That’s ridiculous.”

“I think we can do both,” Abrams responded.

The fires have thus far resulted in at least 24 deaths and an estimated destruction of 12,000 homes, businesses and schools. They have also left 150,000 people displaced.

Bass seemed to stare blankly at a wall and remained quiet as Sky News reporter David Blevins queried her regarding whether she owes her constituents an apology for being absent as the wildfires started. The mayor in June approved a budget for the city that included a $17.6 million cut of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget after she had originally pushed for a $23 million cut, though the city put aside unappropriated funds which ultimately led the fire department to obtain $53 million more than the previous year.

Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong admitted Monday that his publication made a “mistake” by endorsing Bass during the 2022 election.