Silke Jasso
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Steve Harvey is easily one of the most recognizable entertainers in America with multiple national shows — on TV and radio — and an engaging personality that also makes him one of America’s most popular entertainers.
Then came his meeting last week with President-elect Donald Trump — one that could lead Harvey to work with Dr. Ben Carson, Trump’s nominee to be the next secretary of the department of Housing and Urban Development, on inner-city issues — followed by a tidal-wave of “fierce” backlash.
Harvey revealed on his radio show Monday that the days since the meeting have been “more than interesting” because of the barrage of criticism for meeting with Trump.
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“When I walked away feeling there might be a real chance for some positive to come out of what many feel is doom and gloom,” Harvey said on his radio show Monday morning.
My meeting with @realDonaldTrump … pic.twitter.com/Tz2O2W3a5n
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) January 13, 2017
The timing of events immediately afterward probably didn’t help. The meeting occurred days before Georgia Congressman John Lewis, the Civil Rights icon, called Trump an “illegitimate president” in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” which was followed by Trump firing off retaliatory tweets.
He went through with the meeting because he said President Obama encouraged him and others to get directly involved in the process rather than simply talking — or complaining — about important issues on social media.
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“But I’m also very aware of the anger that so many people feel. And these voices will continue to be heard and they should,” Harvey said. “If we sit at the table, then we can have a say-so. I’m from the hood. I’ve been putting in the work for years. I care about these inner cities because that’s where I’m from. Mr Trump didn’t ask me for any advice or help, and people should know that.”
Harvey said he and Carson spoke about plans to rebuild the inner-cities. Chicago, which as been plagued by so much gun violence is on the agenda, Harvey said, as is Carson’s hometown Detroit. Harvey is from Cleveland.
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“We got off to a great start. I think it could be the beginning of something,” Harvey said after the meeting. We’re going to get some things started, and they have a plan for the inner cities but they need help. And so, that’s why they called me. So we’ll see what I can do.”
Harvey reiterated his concern about inner-city problems, and how his mentoring programs have been a big part of what he believes can help people who live in the poorer section of great American cities. He said Trump and Carson are heading down the right path.
“And they were spot on with it. And Ben Carson got on the phone, I met with him over the phone, but I sat with President-elect Trump and we laughed a little bit,” Harvey said, before noting again the criticism he’s absorbed since the highly publicized meeting.
“I ain’t been laughing that much over the past few days,” Harvey said. “They’re kinda beating me up on the internet right now for no reason. But that’s life.”
