Update: Bernie Sanders’ campaign has since fired the organizer. Communications director Mike Casca said, “He is no longer with the campaign and we wish him the best.” The original story is as follows:
Shortly after Darius Khalil Gordon announced his new role as deputy director of constituency organizing for Bernie Sanders’ campaign team, internet sleuths unearthed a series of homophobic and misogynist tweets made by Gordon from 2010 and 2011. The tweets referred to people as “f*gs,” to at least two women as a “fat bitch” and bragged about having “Jew money.”
Gordon has since deleted his Twitter account. His Instagram and LinkedIn accounts are still online. It’s unclear whether Sanders will keep him in the role. Thus far, neither Gordon nor Sanders’ campaign have responded to requests for comment.
Related: Bernie Sanders goes to drag brunch in West Hollywood
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Gordon, who previously served as National Field Organizer for the Center for Popular Democracy, made tweets referring to Jefferson Junior High School students and the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers as “f*gs.”
He referred to an anonymous female sexual partner as a “dumb a*s trick b***h” and to the entertainer and LGBTQ-ally Jennifer Hudson as a “fat b***h.”
He also repeated anti-Semitic stereotypes by referring to “Jew money” as a synonym for wealth.
Gordon’s tweets wouldn’t likely play well with key constituencies that Sanders needs to win the Democratic nomination. His tweets also stand in opposition to Sanders’ own self-touted credentials as a champion for women and LGBTQ people.
Sanders’ campaign website says, “Throughout his decades of public service, Bernie has long co-sponsored and voted for legislation that supports the LGBTQ community’s equal rights.” The site also calls Sanders “a lifelong advocate for women.”
Gordon’s tweets are reminiscent of an October 2019 incident in which Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) surrogate and transgender rights activist Ashlee Marie Preston was forced to apologize for homophobic and racist tweets. While taking responsibility for her actions, Preston said that internalized transphobia and meth addiction compelled her hurtful words.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article identified Gordon as a “head organizer.” We regret the error.
