In a startling revelation, Independent far-left presidential candidate Cornel West has accused the Harris campaign of attempting to bribe him to drop out of the 2024 race.
West made these allegations during an interview on the Status Coup News podcast, where he claimed that the Harris campaign offered him a lucrative position within her potential administration and a promise to pay off his campaign debts in exchange for his withdrawal from the race.
West, a prominent figure in progressive circles, has faced significant opposition from the Democratic Party, particularly due to his potential impact on swing state voters. Polls suggest that West’s presence on the ballot could siphon crucial votes away from Vice President Kamala Harris, which could give an advantage to President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Reflecting on the alleged offer, West recounted, “A number of [Harris campaign staffers] reached out just saying I need to get on the bandwagon — this is a historic moment, especially a Black moment.” However, West made it clear that he was not swayed by their offers. “I told them; I said you all just talking to the wrong brother. You can offer resources or positions or what have you — that’s not what I’m all about. That’s not the game I play.”
When pressed by host Jordan Chariton on whether a specific cabinet or lower position was offered, West hinted at a serious discussion that could have led to “substantive” roles, but he declined to delve further into the details.
West’s candidacy has gained traction in key battleground states like Wisconsin, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, where his name on the ballot could play a pivotal role in the election’s outcome. A Michigan judge recently ruled that West must be included on the state’s presidential ballot, further solidifying his presence in the race.
This isn’t the first time the Democratic Party has faced accusations of attempting to push candidates out of races. During the Obama administration, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) claimed that Democrats pressured him to withdraw from a Senate race in favor of Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who was seeking re-election.
The allegations by West, if true, raise serious questions about the lengths to which the Democratic Party might go to secure victory in the 2024 election. As the campaign season intensifies, these claims could have significant implications for both Harris’s campaign and the broader political landscape.
