Krystal Ball, Candace Owens clash over diversity in Trump White House, alleged liberal racism

Hill.TV host Krystal Ball and conservative Turning Point USA communications director Candace Owens clashed Thursday on “Rising” over diversity in President Trump’s White House. 

“It is an administration that has more white men than past administrations have had, but that doesn’t bother you?” Ball, who is white, asked Owens, who is black. 

“No, no, not at all. I think that we have to stop believing that diversity is the color of people’s skin,” Owens responded. “That’s an illusion that the left has sold that somehow because somebody matches my skin color because somebody matches my gender, they have my best interests at heart.”

Owens is working to bring a group of young, black conservatives to the White House to meet with the president. 

Ball later brought up a tweet from Owens, in which the conservative alleged that the Democratic Party is composed of “racist, white liberals.”  

The Democrat party is comprised of racist white liberals who use minorities to advance themselves, both politically and professionally. @SenWarren ‘s false claim to Cherokee heritage serves as a reminder of their poignantly racist exploitations.#Trump2020Landslide

— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) October 16, 2018

“The emphasis that you place is always on having a discussion on race. You guys are insistent on having a conversation about race, and telling us that we should see, and implying that we should see race everywhere, and I don’t agree with that,” Owens told Ball, referring to “white, liberals.”

“If you don’t look at me according to the color of my skin, you would simply ask me how I thought Trump was doing as a president. Instead, you try to drum up a conversation that is surrounded by race by asking me if there are enough black people in the White House,” Owens said.

“I think it is important that we not demonize our opponents,” Ball responded. “One thing that I try very hard to do is criticize the policies, and criticize people who are in positions of power, but not to criticize the people who support the president.” 

— Julia Manchester