Larry Elder

[[File:Larry Elder (28294545841) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|165px|Elder in 2016.]]
{{uspolitics}}
'''Laurence Allen Elder''' {{lived|1952}} is a [[right wing]] [[radio]] host and former attorney from [[California]]. A self-described [[Republican]]<ref>Emily Deruy, [https://archive.is/o7Fth Recall election: Conservative radio host Larry Elder on Gavin Newsom, COVID and whether Trump lost in 2020]. Archived from ''Mercury News'', 3 August 2021.</ref> and “small-l [[libertarian]],”<ref>Robert L. Jones, [https://www.atlassociety.org/post/interview-with-larry-elder Interview with Larry Elder]. ''Atlas Society'', 8 September 2010.</ref> Elder has become famous in some circles for agreeing with Republicans while–''gasp''–being black. (You know, for people who supposedly aren't [[racist]], they do seem oddly surprised whenever a minority agrees with them.)

==Opinions==
Elder is a near-total supporter of [[Donald Trump]], saying "He is almost [[God]]-sent," in 2019.<ref>James Rainey, [https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-09-04/larry-elder-trump-connection Larry Elder once called Donald Trump ‘almost God-sent.’ But does he want his endorsement?] ''Los Angeles Times'', 4 September 2021.</ref> He and Trump are in such agreement that some have called Elder "Black Trump",<ref>John Harlow, [https://archive.is/crTXa Larry Elder, the ‘Black Trump’, is close to snatching California from Democrats]. Archived from ''The Sunday Times'', 22 August 2021.</ref> although it would be unfair to paint him as anything more than a blind follower, given that Elder has shown willingness to disagree with Trump in the past, criticizing both his support for protectionism and his cutting of troop levels in [[Afghanistan War|Afghanistan]].<ref>Michael R. Blood, [https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-politics-us-news-health-business-599c6c96f75bec7e8f116ec948c6f459 GOP’s Larry Elder looks for shock win in California recall]. ''AP News'',30 August 2021.</ref>

In his book ''The Ten Things You Can't Say in America'' (2000),<ref name='10pointplan'>{{cite web|title=The Ten Things You Can't Say in America|author=Larry Elder|website=Publishers Weekly|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-312-26660-8|date=September 11, 2000}}</ref><ref name=Ten>Larry Elder, ''The Ten Things You Can't Say in America''. New York, St. Martin's Griffin, 2001. {{isbn|0312284659}}.</ref> Elder outlines what he calls his "ten-point Elder plan" to save America, which includes abolishing the [[Internal Revenue Service]] and replacing our [[taxes]] with a [[FairTax|national sales tax]], reducing government spending by eighty percent, ending [[welfare]], ending the [[minimum wage]], legalizing [[drug]]s, abolishing government involvement with education, repealing the {{wpl|Davis–Bacon Act of 1931|Davis-Bacon Act|,}} ending corporate taxes, giving more to [[charity]], and ending all protectionism.<ref name=Ten/>{{rp|233-236}} From this, we can gather that Elder is little more than your average libertarian, albeit one more [[wingnut|on the extreme end of things]].

===Race===
Elder is a long standing critic of the notion of systemic racism, calling it "a lie."<ref>Lara Korte, [https://archive.is/nl1xx California recall candidate Larry Elder says ‘systemic racism is a lie.’ Here’s why]. Archived from ''The Sacramento Bee'', 27 August 2021.</ref> ''The Ten Things You Can't Say in America'' contains multiple chapters criticizing the idea of white racism against black people being a major issue in the United States. Naturally, this book is full of [[strawman|strawmen]] and misrepresentations of black people. For example, Elder takes an admittedly off color comment from Spike Lee about interracial couples and says:
{{quotebox|Perhaps someone should remind Lee of the 1970{{sic}} [[Loving v. Virginia|Supreme Court decision]] that struck down laws against interracial marriage. Does Lee wish to reenact them? Does he agree with Chief Justice [[Roger Taney|Taney]], of [[Dred Scott v. Sandford|Dred Scott]] fame, who deemed blacks to be sub-citizens without full rights, including the right to marry whomever they wish?<ref name=Ten/>{{rp|6}}}}

Obviously not, Lee just said something kind of shitty. Elder mentions this comment again in his book ''Stupid Black Men: How to Play the Race Card and Lose'',<ref name=Stupid>Larry Elder, ''Stupid Black Men: How to Play the Race Card and Lose''. New York, St. Martin's Press, 2008. {{isbn|9780312367336}}.</ref> this time comparing, again, a rather insensitive comment from Lee to [[Trent Lott]] saying, "If the rest of the country" had voted for [[segregationist]] [[Strom Thurmond]] "we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years."<ref name=Stupid/>{{rp|9}}

The book is also filled with various [[Lying by omission|lies by omission]]. For example, Elder criticizes Charles Rangel for saying, "It's not 'spic' or '[[nigger]]' any more. They say 'let's cut taxes.'"<ref name=Ten/>{{rp|14}} But how is that any different then Republican strategist [[Lee Atwater]]'s notorious "[[Nigger]], nigger, nigger," quote regarding the [[Southern Strategy]]?<ref>Bob Herbert, [https://archive.is/Ey2x6 Impossible, Ridiculous, Repugnant]. Archived from ''The New York Times'', 6 October 2005.</ref> Well, besides the fact that Elder mentions the Rangel quote and not the quote from Atwater. 

The only time racism against black people is mentioned is either as an excuse to dismiss it or to make comparisons between it and organizations that Elder dislikes. Regarding the controversy over the [[Bob Jones University]] policy against interracial dating, Elder wrote, "But is Bob Jones's anti-interracial dating policy any less offensive than a position taken by the National Association of Black Social Workers? The organization opposed "trans-racial" adoption."<ref name=Ten/>{{rp|6}} The fact that no major presidential candidate has ever launched their campaign at one of its meetings<ref>Judith Bainbridge, [https://archive.is/1a0Pb Gov. George Bush made controversial 2000 appearance at BJU]. Archived from Greenville News, 10 March 2017.</ref> seems to not be important to Elder, even though that's why the entire controversy around Bob Jones University started.

===Does He Believe Anything?===
[[Sam Seder]] once discussed a personal conversation he had with Elder, where Elder said in regards to politics, "Come on, let's leave that stuff on the field."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Vxd-PZUIA Steven Crowder Just Needs A Friend And, Fine, I Guess I'll Do It]. Some More News, [[YouTube]], 2022.</ref> The comparison of politics to nothing more than sports is rather strange, especially coming from somebody whose career is discussing politics and creating real political change. Does Elder honestly think if his side or the other win is of as little importance as if his favorite team wins at sports? If so, again, then why is he talking about politics so frequently and so seriously in the first place?

==Elder For California?==
In 2021, Elder, after getting some encouragement from his good friend [[Dennis Prager]],<ref>James Rainey and Seema Mehta, [https://archive.is/xY2Qu Larry Elder’s outspoken conservative radio rhetoric under scrutiny in recall election]. Archived from ''The Los Angeles Times'', 10 August 2021.</ref> decided to try his hand at running for California Governor. Before the election, Elder claimed that there would be "shenanigans" in the voting process, which might cause his loss,<ref>Nick Corasaniti, [https://archive.is/6RRTt False Election Claims in California Reveal a New Normal for G.O.P.] Archived from ''The New York Times'', 12 September 2021.</ref> even going so far as to create an entire website dedicated to [[voter fraud]] in an election that hadn't occurred yet.<ref>Lara Corte, [https://web.archive.org/web/20210910121547/https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article254078633.html Larry Elder prepares for California recall loss with lawyers, voter fraud website]. Archived from ''The Sacramento Bee'', 10 September 2021.</ref>

This turned out to be all bark and no bite since Elder conceded as soon as it became obvious that his opponent, Gavin Newsom, was going to remain governor.<ref>Michael R. Blood, [https://apnews.com/article/california-recall-california-e4fdf2c9340c9ae65958fdb2de68f1f0 GOP’s Elder concedes California recall, hints: ‘Stay tuned’]. ''AP News'', 15 September 2021.</ref>

==Elder 2024?==
On April 20, 2023 (yes, 4/20) Elder announced that he was running for [[President of the United States]] as a Republican.<ref>Shania Shelton, [https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/20/politics/larry-elder-2024-presidential-campaign/index.html Larry Elder announces 2024 White House bid]. ''CNN'', 20 April 2023.</ref> He dropped out in October of that same year.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/26/politics/larry-elder-drops-out-2024-presidential-race/index.html Larry Elder ends his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination]</ref>

==Larry's Girls==
According to Elder's former fiancée Alexandra Datig, he demanded that she tattoo "Larry's Girls" on herself in order to show how devoted she was to him.<ref>Carla Marinucci, [https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/19/elders-ex-fiancee-said-he-brandished-a-gun-at-her-506286 Elder’s ex-fiancee said he brandished a gun at her]. ''Politico'', 19 August 2021.</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

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Categories: 2020 election denialists, 2024 US Presidential candidates, Anti-abortion activists, Anti-vaccination movement, Authors, California, Denialists, Global warming denialists, Homophobes, Internalized discrimination, Lawyers, Libertarians, Political pundits, Radio, Right-wing activists, Sexists, Transphobes