"DEI hire," "didn't earn it," randomly blaming diversity — rightwing pundits have parroted those claims throughout the year, flinging the language at high-ranking officials or doling them out in the face of tragedy.
Far-right commentators hurled the phrase at Vice President Kamala Harris both before and after her surprise ascent to the top of the Democratic ticket. But before her, ultraconservative lawmakers, pols and influencers wielded the language against White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and former Harvard University President Claudine Gay, all of whom share in having held prominent positions and being Black.
