Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg had an awkward moment during a talk in front of an African American audience where he misspoke, referring to dark money as "black money" instead, before apologizing and quickly correcting himself amid chuckles from the crowd.
This video is from two weeks ago but I just came across it today.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 11, 2020
In the brief viral clip, Buttigieg can be seen expressing his views on finances invested in political campaigns by undisclosed sources without government regulation, known as dark money. But instead of saying dark money, he says black money before apologizing and trying to recover from his slip of the tongue.
"Oh sorry. Dark money, I'm always happy to take black money contributions into my campaign," Buttigieg says in the video.
The video seemed to stir strong reactions online, with many people pointing out that Buttigieg's immediate correction doesn't change the fact that he used a racially charged phrase.
This guy is doomed.
— Art Vandelay (@tankeroffof) February 11, 2020
On the other hand, some tweets saluted his quick recovery, praising his reaction to his mistake, saying that instantly apologizing for it "shows decency".
I don't think it was awkward. People laughed, and he corrected to dark money without compunction, and he added he'd appreciate Black money coming to his campaign. It was alright and Charlamagne made a joke as well. So, it's all good.
— Osorio (@ARiverBear) February 11, 2020
Hilarious...actually, I thought he did a good job recovering pretty gracefully. Imagine how @ewarren or @JoeBiden would have attempted to run away from the comment, then lit it on fire, then burned themselves and the whole building down begging for forgiveness.
— Eric D. Özkan (@ericozkan1) February 11, 2020
Nah, this day and age it's better to clarify your statements within the same sound bite as your faux pas. He made them laugh. He clarified his point, he moved on.
About as smooth as it can go.— Joshua Anansi (@JoshuAnansi) February 11, 2020
Some commentators didn't think that his slip was the problem, but rather the way he proceeded to explain what dark money is to the crowd.
Others felt that his stance demanding a constitutional change that allows the government to regulate citizens' financial contributions to politics is "quite disturbing".
The worst part was him "explaining" what "dark money" actually is, like people who are in the room listening to him aren't smart enough to know common political terms, hmmm, why's that mayor Pete? Seems he was trying to joke his way out, then showed his true racist self.
— RealEagleEvans113 (@Evans113Real) February 11, 2020
He also was insulting to the crowd explaining what dark money is. You are not getting the black vote Pete. They will see right through you. They see your elitist narcissism on full display and they ain’t buying it.
— Johanna Scharf (@JohannaScharf) February 11, 2020
This wasn't that awkward or cringe.
— James M (@Jubalnc) February 11, 2020
The problem here is that he wants a "Constitutional" change to ban citizens spending money to express political opinions.
That's what we should be flipping out about.
Additionally, some Twitter users wondered how the media would have covered this slip of the tongue if it was Donald Trump, saying that it would have prompted a huge backlash.
Now imagine if @realDonaldTrump had made this statement. Can you imagine the hysteria? Double standard on display every day.
— flyover (@stlwell2) February 11, 2020
Pete Buttigieg is a military veteran and current mayor of South Bend, Indiana. He is also the youngest among the 2020 hopeful presidential nominees and is the only gay prospective candidate.
Last week, Buttigieg was able to take the lead in the first Democratic caucus, winning 26.2% in Iowa slightly ahead of Bernie Sanders.
