Watch: Instead of Simply Celebrating Dem Wins, MSNOW Attacks FL Gov-Elect Byron Donalds, Claiming He Isn't Black
According to a far-left viewpoint expressed on MSNOW, the first black governor of Florida needs an asterisk because his politics are not within the limits that define who is politically allowed to be black, at least according to the Democrats.
Rep. Byron Donalds, a Republican from Florida, made history Tuesday by being elected to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
But that did not please MSNOW host Symone Sanders Townsend, a former press secretary for Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, according to Fox News.
“I will say, though, you know, as they say in my community, all kinfolk ain’t skinfolk,” Sanders Townsend said.
“And what I say and what I mean by that is Byron Donalds is making history, but he is going to continue the political direction that Ron DeSantis is going to continue in Florida,” she added.
Symone Sanders essentially just called Byron Donalds an Uncle Tom
“All kinfolk ain’t skinfolk.”
This is real racism https://t.co/37TePv80v7
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) November 4, 2026
Tim Graham, Media Research Center director of media analysis and executive editor of NewsBusters, said the comment was another in a long line of remarks denigrating black conservatives.
“Symone Sanders is trying to argue that blackness and conservatism are polar opposites or that being a black conservative is being a traitor to your race,” Graham said.
“She suggests that Gov. Ron DeSantis has been anti-black in his policies, and so Donalds is going to continue this allegedly anti-black agenda,” he continued, noting that Sanders Townsend defines being black as being in lockstep with Democratic thought.
Even when noting the governor-elect’s achievement, she threw in a dig.
“It is a historic win. It is the first time Florida has elected a Black governor,” Sanders Townsend said.
“And, so, he was on ‘The Breakfast Club’ this morning, was being asked about all kinds of policies and whatnot. And he, you know, sounded similar to Ron DeSantis,” she said.
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The liberal host’s whining came in contrast to comments from black Democrats in Florida, as noted by the Miami Herald.
“Our day has come. Our time has come. This is a new day,” Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Chesnut, a black Democrat, said.
Chesnut supported Donalds, crossing party lines despite opposition from some black Democrats.
🚨 LMFAO! BYRON DONALDS: “You see, my opponent said the other day that my agenda is ‘anti-black.'” 💀
“Ladies and gentlemen — I don’t know if you know this.”
“Breaking news.”
“Your next governor has been BLACK his ENTIRE LIFE!”
😂😂
“The color of my skin is NOT what qualifies me to be your governor.”
“The VISION for a great Florida, a free Florida…THAT is what qualifies me to be your next governor!”
BOOM 🫳🏻🎤
David Jolly is a total fraud and joke. He’s about to lose!
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 30, 2026
“This is a new day, and that’s what it says to Florida. You’re going to have to reassess how you look at black leadership,” Chesnut said.
“I endorsed him because I was impressed with his campaign philosophy and what he planned to do for Florida. So this is a great day for Florida. It’s a great day for all the children of Florida because it says to them, you too can be governor of the state of Florida,” she said.
Stephen Hunter Johnson, a Democratic member of the Miami-Dade County Black Affairs Advisory Board, said Donalds’ win proved “anything you want in this country, you can go and get if you’re willing.”
“It’s nice to know that Florida trusted a black man with that responsibility,” he said. “Even if it’s a black man I disagree with.”
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