A coalition of Black churches is urging MSNBC to suspend Al Sharpton after it was revealed his organization accepted $500,000 in donations from Vice President Kamala Harris’ failed presidential campaign.
The National Black Church Initiative wrote that the action put a “moral shadow over the integrity of the Black Church.”
“It is imperative for The Rev. Al Sharpton to transparently disclose the details of this 500,000 transaction—its rationale, receipt, and intended purpose,” the organization wrote. “Moreover, it is crucial to ascertain whether Rev. Sharpton personally benefited from any funds, and if so, the specifics of such transactions demand clarification.”
President of NBCI Rev. Anthony Evans said: “Although Rev. Sharpton is held in high regard within our coalition, this does not obscure the significant ethical concerns he now faces—both morally and journalistically—regarding this financial interaction with the National Action Network. We continue to hold him in our prayers.”
The press release added that Sharpton’s presence on MNSBC “has been a longstanding issue” as it “seemingly undermines the professional standing of other black men and women in journalism who may possess greater experience and integrity in the field.”
The group called for a “thorough investigation into the transaction or donation made by the Harris campaign and supports a suspension of Rev. Sharpton pending the outcome of this inquiry.”
MSNBC executives have claimed they were “unaware” of the donations.
The Harris campaign made two $250,000 contributions to Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN) prior to its October interview with the MSNBC host, The Washington Free Beacon reported.
