Rep. Hunt Responds to Being Called 'DEI Hire' by D.L. Hughley

Responding to Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt’s (R) social media post about Don Lemon’s recent comments on Black conservatives, Hughley suggested that Rep. Hunt classifies as a “DEI Hire.”

The controversy began during an interview between Lemon and Bill Maher, where Lemon suggested that Black Trump supporters are “not rational.” In response, Rep. Hunt took to social media, defending himself as a “proud husband, father of three, combat veteran, West Point graduate, Ivy League triple-degree holder, and a U.S. Congressman.” He went on to argue that he achieved success through merit, not race, writing, “I accomplished all of this by being a serious, rational person.”

Hughley fired back during an interview with TMZ, saying that Rep. Hunt’s credentials would be dismissed as diversity hires under different circumstances.

“Let’s be real. How many people with those same qualifications have been fired and called DEI? Kamala Harris was called DEI for having those exact same qualifications,” Hughley said.

The comedian also criticized Black conservatives for remaining silent on racially charged issues, adding, “When they tell you Haitians are eating dogs, you never hear anything from them. When they’re saying there are good people on both sides, you never hear anything from them. That is the price of admission for being a Black MAGA person.”

Rep. Hunt quickly responded on X, refuting Hughley’s claims.

“OUCH. So, according to Hollywood elites, if you’re Black, America First, qualified, and accomplished—you’re just a ‘D.E.I. hire,’” the Texas lawmaker wrote. Dismissing the comparison between himself and Vice President Kamala Harris (D), Rep. Hunt further argued, “When I won two Congressional races in a majority-white district, I don’t remember voters saying, ‘Let’s elect him because he’s Black.’ No—people chose me because they believed I was the most qualified for the job.”