The former vice president of the United States and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee sparked a controversy on Friday by suggesting that African-Americans who consider voting for the current president over him “ain’t black.”

Joe Biden, who was Barack Obama’s vice-president between 2009 and 2017, made this comment during an interview on “The Breakfast Club” morning radio show, which is popular in the black community and hosted by Charlamagne tha God.

During the interview, Charlamagne asked Biden if he is considering Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, who is white, to be his vice-presidential running mate when black voters, who “saved your political life in the primaries,” want an African-American woman.

“I guarantee you there are multiple black women being considered. Multiple,” Biden responded.

However, he went on to add: “If you’ve got a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or for (President Donald) Trump, then you ain’t black.”

African Americans are the demographic most loyal to the Democratic Party. In the 2016 elections, nearly 90 percent African Americans voted for Hillary Clinton.

Biden apologized for his comment hours later when the controversy had already erupted saying that he “shouldn’t have been so cavalier.”

“I know the comments have come off like I was taking the African vote for granted. But nothing could be further from the truth,” the former vice-president said during a phone call with the US Black Chamber of Commerce on Friday afternoon.

“I shouldn’t have been such a wise guy. I don’t take [the black vote] for granted at all. And no one, no one should have to vote for any party, based on their race, their religion, their background,” he added.

Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign accused Biden of being “racist.”

“Joe Biden declaring who is and isn’t black is the height of elitist Democrat arrogance,” Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said.

According to US media, among the African-American women Biden is considering as vice-presidential running mate are California Senator Kamala Harris, Florida Congresswoman Val Demings and former Georgia gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams.

Other top contenders for the position include Klobuchar, Massachussetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. EFE

© 2020 EFE News Services (U.S.) Inc.

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