A Republican candidate for Missouri secretary of state has told Black Americans who do not like the country to “kindly” leave in a video posted on the eve of Juneteenth.
Valentina Gomez, who previously caused outrage for urging voters not to be “weak and gay,” accused the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. of being the “most wretched” holiday and that Black people should no longer be seeking reparations.
The video from Gomez, a staunch Donald Trump supporter, arrived days after the former president’s 2024 campaign team announced a “Black Americans for Trump” initiative to try to persuade African Americans to support the Republican in November’s race against Joe Biden. The coalition includes Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.
Gomez posted her latest video on X, formerly Twitter, attacking Juneteenth and saying: “If you don’t like America, gtfo [get the f*** out].”
“Reparations from slavery and black victimization is about to be shoved down our throats for the most [wretched] holiday in America,” Gomez said. “BLM raised millions. And what did they do for Black lives?
“It is outrageous to see people ask you for reparations, even though they never went through slavery. These ungrateful people should be celebrating because they were born in the greatest nation to ever exist.
“Here’s a tip; If you don’t like America, kindly, get the f*** out.”
The video ends with a photo of her posing with an assault rifle while dressed in military style clothing. Gomez, a 25-year-old immigrant from Colombia, has never served in the military.
Juneteenth National Independence Day flag flies high. Valentina Gomez, a Missouri Republican secretary of state candidate, has attacked the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the
MARK FELIX/AFP/Getty Images
In an additional statement to Newsweek, Gomez stood by her inflammatory tweet, repeating her view on reparations and that those who do not like America should “GTFO.”
Gomez is one of eight Republican candidates running for secretary of state in Missouri. The GOP primary for the candidacy will take place on August 6. Trump has yet to endorse anyone in the race.
Juneteenth became recognized as a federal holiday by Biden in June 2021, becoming the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983.
Gomez previously received backlash for a video in which she made disparaging remarks about being gay while jogging through a pro-LGBTQ+ area of St. Louis, Missouri, in a bulletproof vest.
“In America, you can be anything you want. So don’t be weak and gay,” Gomez said. That video also ends with Gomez posing with an assault rifle.
Reacting to the video, Jason Kander, a former Democratic Missouri secretary of state and candidate for U.S. Senate, said: “So refreshing to see a female GOP candidate who never served in the military doing the whole veteran cosplay, stolen valor, bigotry as a substitute for strength routine as well as any man.”
Update 06/20/2024: This article has been updated with further comment from Valentina Gomez.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
