DNC vice chair Malcolm Kenyatta likens President Trump to segregationist leaders, warning of rising division at Philadelphia event.

Historic Parallels Drawn at Philadelphia Town Hall

During a spirited town hall event in Philadelphia, Democratic National Committee vice chair Malcolm Kenyatta drew sharp comparisons between President Donald Trump and some of the most notorious segregationists in American history. The remarks, delivered before a large crowd and alongside former Representative Beto O’Rourke, underscored mounting concerns among party leaders about the future of American democracy and civil rights.

Kenyatta, a Pennsylvania state representative and prominent Democrat, referenced the Jim Crow era and figures such as former Alabama Governor George Wallace and Birmingham Public Safety Commissioner Theophilus “Bull” Connor. Citing infamous tactics like book burnings and censorship, Kenyatta warned that the country is once again confronting leaders he described as “would-be autocrats and would-be kings.”

“This is not, in fact, the first time we've had to deal with a guy like the one in the White House,” Kenyatta told attendees, invoking the struggles of female suffragists, civil rights activists including the late John Lewis, and LGBTQ advocates who fought at New York’s Stonewall bar. He recalled the violent repression of protestors during the civil rights movement, stating, “They found themselves in a moment just like we find ourselves, where they didn’t know the end of the story.”

He continued, “We now benefit from knowing the end of the story – but what they all knew for certain was that there were dogs at the end of the damn bridge, that there was fire hoses at the bridge, that they were going to be losing their jobs and have to move out of their communities…” Kenyatta likened the current political climate to that of mid-20th century Birmingham, when authorities used fire hoses and dogs against peaceful demonstrators.

Drawing a direct line to President Trump, Kenyatta charged, “We have a guy, whenever he's not hanging out on Epstein's Island, who is saying some version of ‘segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever’.” The comment referenced the infamous slogan used by Wallace during the 1960s.

Calls to Resist Authoritarianism and Redistrict Aggressively

Kenyatta was resolute: “I am not bowing to a damn king. I'm certainly not kissing the ring of a king. And we have a bad relationship in Philadelphia with kings, and we're not changing that relationship now.”

Beto O’Rourke, participating in the event, encouraged Democrats to aggressively pursue redistricting efforts in states they control, even if it means challenging traditional political norms. He cited Republican efforts in Texas as evidence that Democrats must prioritize political advantage. “States that have the power to do so, that’re led by Democrats right now, must also redistrict to add Democratic advantage; in California where we can pick up some seats,” O’Rourke urged.

“Well, f--- how it supposed to work, we need to win political power,” he declared, emphasizing the high stakes of the current political moment and the need for bold strategy to counter Republican gains.

As the 2026 election cycle approaches, the event highlighted a sense of urgency among Democrats. Leaders are rallying supporters to resist what they view as authoritarian trends and to embrace aggressive tactics in the battle for legislative control. The charged rhetoric and historical analogies signal that the struggle for power and civil rights will remain at the forefront of America’s political discourse.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the event’s remarks or the DNC vice chair’s direct criticisms of President Trump.