Mike Huckabee blasted for tweet saying he has decided to ‘identify as Chinese’
- The ex-Arkansas governor’s tirade came after major American corporations voiced objection to changes in Georgia’s voting laws
- Backlash against the 65-year-old was swift, with Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu accusing Huckabee of ‘adding fuel to anti-Asian hate’
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee tweeted that he has chosen to “identify as Chinese” because it will help him find favour with American corporations.
“I’ve decided to ‘identify’ as Chinese,” Huckabee tweeted on Saturday. “Coke will like me, Delta will agree with my ‘values’ and I’ll probably get shoes from Nike & tickets to @MLB games. Ain’t America great?”
His quip coincides with Major League Baseball’s decision to withdraw the 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta in response to changes in Georgia’s voting laws. Nike, Delta and Coca-Cola, which also do business overseas, have voiced objection to Georgia’s electoral changes, too.
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Backlash against the 65-year-old conservative came fast, from friends and foes alike.
Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu accused Huckabee of “adding fuel to anti-Asian hate” and asked the former politician’s daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders – who is running to be Arkansas’ next governor – if she agrees with her father’s sentiments.
“Do you condone Mike Huckabee adding fuel to anti-Asian hate?” Lieu tweeted. “Asking on behalf of Americans everywhere who drink Coke, fly Delta, wear Nikes and watch baseball.”
Sanders served as press secretary for Trump. She launched a campaign in January to follow in the footsteps of her father, who was Arkansas’ governor from 1996 to 2007. Both Huckabee and his daughters have also worked for Fox News.
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Actress Patricia Arquette joined the chorus in calling out Huckabee for his “Chinese” comments.
“Elderly Asian women are getting beaten up on the street and you say this?” she tweeted.
Hate crimes against Asian-Americans rose 150 per cent in 2020 – mostly in New York and Los Angeles – according to one report.
Christian author and Bible teacher Beth Moore, along with other Christians, also expressed disapproval of Huckabee’s tweet.
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“Mike, I’ve shared a meal with you at your beautiful table. I’ve heard you profess Christ as Lord,” she tweeted. “This is entirely antithetical to the gospel.”
Huckabee responded to Moore with a non-apology.
“I don’t take Twitter or myself that seriously but I do take gospel seriously,” he tweeted back at her. “I truly wish you only joy & continued blessings. May the power of the resurrection lift you to high places this Easter weekend my dear sister!”
Huckabee unsuccessfully pursued the Republican nomination for president in 2008 and 2016. Georgia’s changes to its voting rules follow an election in which Republicans lost both senate seats and presidential candidate Trump was also defeated in the Peach State.
