Roland Martin, Saint Louis University, https://www.slu.edu/news/2019/november/noted-journalist-roland-martin-to-keynote-2020-mlkjr-tribute.php
The revelation that Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign paid $350,000 to Roland Martin’s Nu Vision Media just weeks before an October interview has sparked backlash online. Critics, especially Black Americans on social media platforms like X, have accused Harris of using campaign funds to influence media narratives during her presidential campaign, Fox News reported.
The payment to Nu Vision Media was reportedly for advertising, according to Martin. He defended the transaction, asserting that Black-owned media outlets deserve a larger share of campaign advertising budgets. “It should have been a hell of a lot more,” he told The New York Times. However, many saw this exchange as a conflict of interest.
This isn’t the first such payment linked to Harris’ campaign. Records from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) also show two $250,000 donations to Rev. Al Sharpton‘s nonprofit before his October interview with Harris. This massive outlay comes amid scrutiny over her campaign’s $1.5 billion budget, much of which went to unorthodox spending, including $1 million paid to Harpo Productions following a town hall with Oprah Winfrey.
The issues sparked criticism on X. Ja’Mal Green posted, “BREAKING: Roland Martin was paid $350,000 from Kamala Harris to come after those who criticized her! Enough of the black gatekeepers who patting their pockets and not getting tangibles for our community.”
Green added in part, in a separate post, “Roland just proved my point yall. He is explicitly saying he went hard for Kamala, that means you are NOT a journalist or a media company and you were PAID to amplify your attacks on Trump and promote Kamala. Just stand on it.”
This was in response to Martin posting, “Nah, fool. I went hard for Kamala Harris because Donal Trump is rash. But people like you @GeoSoFly do noting but make excuses for the organe man, And we first ran campaign ads in September 2023. So go to hell”.
Black Authority posted, “The @KamalaHarris campaign PAID @rolandsmartin $350k for a 30 minute ‘interview.’ He delivered her ZERO votes. No wonder he NEVER criticizes the Democrats policies or Kamala BY NAME No wonder those of us who are NOT paid off DO criticize them.”
quantumblackness2.0 posted, “aye @rolandsmartin, Kamala low balled you. Sharpton got $150k more than you.”
