Outrage Over Secretary of State Candidate’s Hateful Juneteenth Comments

Valentina Gomez, a controversial secretary of state candidate in Missouri, has sparked outrage with her recent online tirade disparaging Black Americans and the holiday of Juneteenth. In a video posted on Twitter, Gomez referred to Juneteenth as “the most ratchet” of American holidays and questioned the need for reparations for Black Americans.

Gomez’s comments have drawn widespread condemnation, with many criticizing her use of homophobic rhetoric and divisive language. President Joe Biden made Juneteenth an official national holiday in 2021, marking the day when the last U.S. slaves were freed in 1865. Despite this, conservative figures like Candace Owens have attacked the holiday, with Gomez now joining their ranks.

In a statement to HuffPost, Gomez defended her remarks, stating that only those who have experienced slavery deserve reparations. She also expressed her admiration for former President Trump and hinted at seeking his endorsement for her campaign.

This is not the first time Gomez has courted controversy. In a campaign ad last month, she urged her followers to not be “weak and gay” while wearing a bulletproof vest. Her inflammatory rhetoric has raised concerns about her fitness for public office and sparked a debate about the role of divisive language in politics.