As our own Warren Squire reported, The Atlantic's Jemele Hill claimed that capitalism is linked to oppression and white supremacy. She was schooled by political commentator Kmele Foster, who reminded her that "slavery is an institution that is older than writing. It predates capitalism." Scott Jennings piled on, posting, "ESPN paid Jemele Hill $6 million to literally stop talking, and now she’s lecturing us on the 'ills' of capitalism?"
Hill wasn't happy with the CNN NewsNight clip circulating and doubled down in a lengthy X post:
America was built on the institution of slavery. It is how America became a world economic power — the buying and selling of people being tied to the economy. That is effectively white supremacy, since it was a race-based system.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 2, 2026
Fast forward to other economic policies that were… https://t.co/R45k4V2r8z
The post continues:
… guided by race — housing, employment, etc. There were rules that prevented Black people from equally participating in the free economy.
In fact, one of the most glaring features of American capitalism is racial inequality. The racial wealth gap exists because specific policies were put in place to suppress economic participation.
So yes, capitalism is tied to white supremacy.
None of this is true. Slavery was not only an immense moral drag on the nation but also inhibited economic growth. It was always vehemently opposed by a significant number of Americans. And very few, maybe 1.4%, of Americans had slaves. https://t.co/FQLFLHRBBb
— David Harsanyi (@davidharsanyi) September 3, 2026
That's of course why you said all of this on set at the time and not afterwards on Twitter. https://t.co/q3Sus7aGLe
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 3, 2026
Jemele on the way home from CNN studios: "Siri, what are some arguments that connect slavery with capitalism."
— JFSIII (@jcapital54) September 3, 2026
This is the real life version of the “jerk store” episode of Seinfeld. Her comeback is even as senseless as jerk store.
— Smarmy Mole (@thedilbertscale) September 3, 2026
Recommended
@jemelehill yes you really communicated this perfectly in the moment. I believe you just kept repeating “it doesn’t work like that” over and over.
— barbaQue (@fogotmore) September 3, 2026
Even afterwards it’s not an intelligent argument and is just plain wrong on its premise.
— Jenn Carbin (@jenncarbin) September 3, 2026
The South was the economic powerhouse for the US. Right.
— Jon Tveten (@jtveten) September 3, 2026
She’s SERIOUSLY DOUBLING DOWN?! pic.twitter.com/3hkmPQvzrZ
— Mary (@MaryKRe) September 3, 2026
Her showing on CNN was so bad that Marc Lamont Hill jumped in to help her out:
This gentleman didn't obliterate Jemele at all. He just confidently said a bunch of things that weren't true. He would benefit from reading about racial capitalism as the beginning to the developing an answer to his question. https://t.co/he7hCkZXcI
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) September 2, 2026
Marc - Which things aren’t true?
— Kmele 🖐 (@kmele) September 2, 2026
Direct quotes, please.
- Kmele (we’ve met — a few times) https://t.co/eE7DlyddTl
"He would benefit from reading about nonsensical made up bullshittery as the beginning to the developing an answer to his question."
— AmishDude (@TheAmishDude) September 3, 2026
Man, if you'll buy into "racial capitalism" I have got this amazing bridge to sell you. Yuge. Best bridge ever.
Usually when you counter someone’s point, we provide supporting evidence. Telling someone to go read some radical book isn’t a solid response. Kmele’s point is still valid and you said a whole lot of nothing.
— Danny (@DannyCage88) September 2, 2026
He described capitalism as an economic system. None of what he said is untrue. You and Jemele are talking about behavior within the system. Every economic system has bad actors because we're human. Again, nothing he said here is false.
— Joel Schamber (@JoelSchamber) September 2, 2026
Ok. He eviscerated her ignorance. What exactly was untrue? The word 'capitalism' had not yet emerged during Adam Smith's day, but the system he described did exist for hundreds of years. Soooo, the same capitalism that made you and @jemelehill millionaires is white supremacy? 🤣
— Ryan Bomberger (@ryanbomberger) September 2, 2026
The fact that you can’t see that’s he’s asking her to connect the dots in terms of her claims is troubling. Especially if you teach at a university bro. That’s basic logic
— Richie torres (@BXMMA) September 2, 2026
"I'm not owned!" Hill exclaimed.
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