Janet Jackson retracts apology issued to Kamala Harris after singer claimed Vice President was ‘not black’
Janet Jackson has seemingly retracted an apology which was made on her behalf after she noted that Kamala Harris would not be the first black female president – with the star revealing she did not issue the apology statement.
Back in July, Joe Biden officially announced he was stepping down from the race to be elected as the President of the United States – with current Vice President Harris stepping up.
Earlier this month, Harris faced off against Republican nominee Donald Trump in a televised debate ahead of this year’s presidential election, leaving the pair to engage in a fiery war of words on a number of subjects including immigration, abortion and President Biden’s track record.
Jackson, 58, recently spoke with The Guardian and was asked about her views on America potentially voting for its first Black female president, to which she responded by voicing her doubt over whether the Democratic candidate was actually Black.
“She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian. Her father’s white. That’s what I was told.”
Shortly after the statement from Jackson was read, a statement issued by Mo Elmasri initially said: “Janet apologises for any confusion caused and acknowledges the importance of accurate representation in public discourse.
“We appreciate the opportunity to address this and will remain committed to promoting unity.”
Now, however, representatives for Jackson have since told Variety that she did not authorise such comments, with the singer actually being managed by her brother Randy for many years.
It has been reported that Elmasri claimed via email to Variety: “I no longer work for her. I was fired by Janet and Randy, after attempts to improve her image in front of public opinion and her fans, and this is something I do not deserve.”
He then added “All my support” to Vice President Harris.
Variety also reported that sources close to her team said that Elmasri is not known to have been directly associated with the singer.
GB News has contacted Jackson’s representatives for comment.
Jackson’s comments echoed those made by Trump during a speech at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago in July when he claimed: “[Harris] was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage.
“I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?
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“I respect either one, but she obviously doesn’t, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went – she became a Black person. I think somebody should look into that too.”
Jackson and her siblings recently lost their brother, Tito, who died earlier this month, with his sons TJ, Taj and Taryll writing in a statement on Instagram: “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us.
“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. He will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops.”