CNN correspondent Van Jones’ comments about Donald Trump becoming the 45th president of the United States went viral on Tuesday, November 8, during the nail-biting election.
Hours before Trump, 70, was officially announced as the next commander in chief, Jones, 48, got choked up while discussing why it may be difficult for parents to tell their children about the shocking outcome.
“People have talked about a miracle. I’m hearing about a nightmare. You tell your kids: Don’t be a bully … don’t be a bigot … do your homework and be prepared. And then you have this outcome,” he said. “You have people putting children to bed tonight, and they’re afraid of breakfast. They’re afraid of ‘How do I explain this to my children?’ I have Muslim friends who are texting me tonight, ‘Should I leave the country?’ I have families of immigrants that are terrified tonight.”
Van Jones: “This was a ‘white-lash’ against a changing country” https://t.co/fVi0JzyFOr #CNNElection #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/mWuTQqN83C
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) November 9, 2016
“This was a rebellion against the elites, true, it was a create reinvention of politics … but it was also something else,” he continued. “We haven’t talked about race. This was a ‘white-lash’ against a changing country … against a black president, in part. And that’s the part where the pain comes. Donald Trump has a responsibility tonight to come and reassure people that he is going to be the president of all the people who he insulted and offended and brushed aside.”
Jones was praised for his remarks on social media. “Van Jones just schooled everyone and explained exactly what a Trump win means,” one commenter wrote.
A second added: “Van jones is the man.”
Still, others were too upset to add their support. “All these people applauding Van Jones, where the hell were your votes?” another person wrote.
Read more reactions below.
If you wanna cry watch Van Jones give the first cognizant minority understanding of the election on CNN tonight. He just made it real.
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) November 9, 2016
Van Jones speech last night on CNN was so good that I’m still thinking about it after sleeping.
— Michael (@caliblue15) November 9, 2016
On CNN, Van Jones just vocalized what a ton of people are feeling in this country. Beautifully.
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) November 9, 2016
The real winner tonight is @VanJones68. A voice of reason and compassion in a sea of partisan surrogates.
— Torrance Coombs (@torrancecoombs) November 9, 2016
Van Jones is my only ray of light.
— Michelle Collins (@michcoll) November 9, 2016
“You’ve got to treat people like human beings, if not things will go from bad to horrible”
Grace.
Understanding.
Empathy.
-Van Jones— Minka Kelly (@minkakelly) November 9, 2016
I love Van Jones.
— kelly oxford (@kellyoxford) November 9, 2016
Welcome to the #WhiteLash.
— Van Jones (@VanJones68) November 9, 2016
What do we do now? Nausea has turned to tears. Thank you @VanJones68 for your articulation https://t.co/2ciSKGUiwQ
— Aaron Tveit (@AaronTveit) November 9, 2016
Van Jones almost crying because the Land of the Free may have elected a fascist and Van Jones knows his history. #ElectionNight
— John (@linnyitssn) November 9, 2016
Van Jones. Yes.
— Julie Plec (@julieplec) November 9, 2016