Former MSNBC host Joy Reid made controversial remarks during an online discussion with journalist Wajahat Ali, claiming that white people have historically stolen ideas and inventions from black Americans, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.
Reid, who was removed as host of The ReidOut in February, spoke with Ali in a video segment that circulated online this week. During the exchange, Reid declared:
“We black folk gave y’all country music, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, rock and roll. They couldn’t even invent that.”
She continued by criticizing the cultural legacy of Elvis Presley, stating, “But they have to call a white man ‘The King’ because they couldn’t make rock and roll.”
Reid accused Presley of profiting off black musicians, saying, “So they have to stamp ‘The King’ on a man whose main song was stolen from an overweight black woman,” referencing Presley’s 1956 hit Hound Dog, originally recorded by blues singer Big Mama Thornton.
Ali, a progressive commentator, appeared to agree with Reid’s statements, nodding during the exchange.
Reid’s comments follow her departure from MSNBC earlier this year, when she was removed from her primetime slot after hosting The ReidOut since 2020. During her time at the network, Reid frequently drew criticism for her rhetoric on race, politics, and culture.
The video quickly spread on social media, where critics accused Reid of disparaging white Americans and inflaming racial divisions. Supporters argued she was highlighting the historical contributions of black artists in American culture.
Reid’s specific claim about Elvis Presley and Hound Dog has been part of longstanding debates about cultural appropriation in American music. Thornton recorded the song in 1952 before Presley popularized it with his version four years later.
This latest episode adds to a history of controversial remarks from Reid, who has faced scrutiny over past comments on race and politics during her tenure in television news.
