Columbia Professor Sparks Controversy by Calling DOGE Cuts Racist

[Social Media]

 

A Columbia University professor has stirred controversy by claiming that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is racist because it is making budget cuts to a government that was once led by Barack Obama.  

 

Basil Smikle, a lecturer at the Ivy League institution and a Democratic strategist, made the statement during an appearance on MSNBC, where he criticized DOGE’s cost-cutting measures.  

 

"There are people who are charged with trying to find savings," Smikle said. "So yes, it’s an attack on government, but it’s also an attack on this government. What I mean by that is it’s an attack on this government that used to be headed by a black man. It’s an attack on this government that almost elected a black woman to the highest office in the land."  

 

His remarks raised eyebrows, particularly given that three different administrations have come and gone since Obama left office. DailyMail.com has reached out to Smikle for clarification on his comments.  

 

Smikle, who previously served as Executive Director of the New York State Democratic Party under former Governor Andrew Cuomo and as a senior aide to Hillary Clinton during her tenure in the Senate, is no stranger to political discourse. However, his assertion about DOGE was met with widespread skepticism and ridicule, particularly among conservative commentators and Trump supporters.  

 

Social media users wasted no time in mocking the professor’s logic. "That is the worst logic I have ever heard. Zero foundation. How is this man a professor of anything?" one user on X remarked. Another commented, "That’s quite the circular logic."  

 

As debate over government spending continues, Smikle’s comments have only added fuel to the partisan fire, raising questions about how racial politics intersect with fiscal policy decisions.

 

Based on a report by The Daily Mail  2025-03-10

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

Sometimes the truth hurts.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

 

Basil Smikle, who keeps the race card in his top pocket on a piece of string, with another one in his wallet, just in case the string breaks through constant use.

 

 

[impulse]

Great to see the Dems are sticking with their winning formula.  Everyone they disagree with is either racist, fascist, nazi, or some kind of phobic.

 

Fingers crossed they stick with it through 2026 and 2028.

 

[mikeymike100]

19 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Sometimes the truth hurts.

Sometimes it does, but this guy Smikle  is more about political messaging than evidence. I should have known when he made his appearance on MSNBC!

[Harrisfan]

27 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Sometimes the truth hurts.

Yes when Trump speaks. 

[hotsun]

Columbia university just had their federal funding cut. It seems desperate circumstances for this guy who is about to lose his job

[Harrisfan]

Why are there so many dumb TV programs? 

[Harrisfan]

Just now, hotsun said:

Columbia university just had their federal funding cut. It seems desperate circumstances for this guy who is about to lose his job

Every professor should be given IQ tests. Score below 115 you get fired. This guy looks about 92.

[Cryingdick]

Well the real deal is a they are going to have a lot of customers facing visa revocations, They are all on tape and film. They had some lame masks but AI can find you by an eyeball. Maybe they should just study. Like they said they would do.

[Cryingdick]

If you have posted from the river to the sea or death to America ever on social media not limited to but including AN you will be gone.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

4 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Every professor should be given IQ tests. Score below 115 you get fired. This guy looks about 92.

 

 

Staggeringly generous assessment

 

 

[hotsun]

Blacks havent realized this yet but because of kanye west they are no longer able to use the race card. This guy is racist too

[Cryingdick]

1 minute ago, hotsun said:

Blacks havent realized this yet but because of kanye west they are no longer able to use the race card. This guy is racist too

This is pretty stupid. I will file this under the crap I can't use or learn from folder. This is why people don't like MAGA. 

[hotsun]

1 minute ago, Cryingdick said:

This is pretty stupid. I will file this under the crap I can't use or learn from folder. This is why people don't like MAGA. 

Why? Do black people have more rights than jewish people? Id bet this guy thinks so

[BangkokReady]

The sad thing about all this isn't that these evil people lie to try to get what they want, it's the fact that people actually believe what they're saying, rather than trusting their own eyes.

 

90s person: "There isn't much racism and everyone is happy."

 

Evil race baiter: "Actually things are super racist."

 

2020s person: "You're right.  I'm very angry and see racism everywhere now."

[BangkokReady]

7 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Blacks havent realized this yet but because of kanye west they are no longer able to use the race card. This guy is racist too

 

I wish that was true, but West only came unstuck because he flew too close to the sun and criticised a group that was above his in the oppression hierarchy.

[Cryingdick]

4 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Why? Do black people have more rights than jewish people? Id bet this guy thinks so

Enough identity politics.

[hotsun]

1 minute ago, BangkokReady said:

 

I wish that was true, but West only came unstuck because he flew too close to the sun and criticised a group that was above his in the oppression hierarchy.

Correct, and he made the world worse for blacks as a result

[Harrisfan]

4 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Correct, and he made the world worse for blacks as a result

Blacks have more rights than I do.

[Cryingdick]

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Blacks have more rights than I do.

This is where  you are going to run out of ears willing to listen, This is not reality. It is embarrassing at times.

[hotsun]

Just now, Cryingdick said:

This is where  you are going to run out of ears willing to listen, This is not reality. It is embarrassing at times.

Who do you think has more rights in the UK, whites or muslims?

[BangkokReady]

7 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Correct, and he made the world worse for blacks as a result

 

Actually, I think it probably did them a favour.  If Black people thought they could do whatever they want, simply because of their race, it would be a negative thing for them.  It's like a spoilt child, at some point reality hits and they end up in trouble.

 

What Kanye felt was an immense feeling of entitlement and lack of consequences.  If people walk around with that feeling, society falls apart.  People have to know that they are not above others just because of their race.

[Harrisfan]

2 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

This is where  you are going to run out of ears willing to listen, This is not reality. It is embarrassing at times.

No it's not. I never got any freebies based on race. In Thailand I pay 5x to enter a museum or national park too.

[Cryingdick]

2 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Who do you think has more rights in the UK, whites or muslims?

 

The Uk isn't in my purview.

[hotsun]

Just now, BangkokReady said:

 

Actually, I think it probably did them a favour.  If Black people thought they could do whatever they want, simply because of their race, it would be a negative thing for them.  It's like a spoilt child, at some point reality hits and they end up in trouble.

 

What Kanye felt was an immense feeling of entitlement and lack of consequences.  If people walk around with that feeling, society falls apart.  People have to know that they are not above others just because of their race.

African Americans are very privileged, more than they realize. Kanye didnt realize how privileged he was until after he came out as a racist

[Cryingdick]

3 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

No it's not. I never got any freebies based on race. In Thailand I pay 5x to enter a museum or national park too.

That has nothing to do with the USA. If you feel offended try leaving? I am an American first type of guy. What some idiot does or how he is treated in Thailand doesn't matter to me.

 

[Harrisfan]

According to the Census Bureau, these programs include Medicaid, food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP), housing assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

 

 

[Cryingdick]

4 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

According to the Census Bureau, these programs include Medicaid, food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP), housing assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

 

 

So it's only old crippled morons taking advantage of it? Cut it all and make America great again.

 

[JimGant]

41 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Every professor should be given IQ tests. Score below 115 you get fired. This guy looks about 92.

Yeah, but this guy gets a pass, 'cause he's Black -- and because Columbia is one of the biggies when it comes to DEI.

Quote

Columbia University is actively working to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, with initiatives across various departments and schools, including the establishment of DEI offices and task forces, and a focus on addressing systemic issues and promoting anti-racism