MSNBC anchor Craig Melvin on Wednesday asked Georgia state representative Vernon Jones, a pro-Trump Democrat, if he was being paid to support President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign—the second time this week the network has asked African-American supporters of the president whether they are on Trump's payroll.
"Are you a paid campaign surrogate? Are you being compensated?" Melvin asked Jones after he cited Trump’s record-low African-American unemployment numbers.
In response, Jones said he supported the president out of principle and contended that he was only asked the question because he doesn’t fit the network’s narrative.
"I don’t get a dime from the president, or his campaign. Everything I’ve done is based on me and my principles," Jones said. "You don't ask Stacy Abrams if she gets paid from the left. You only ask me that because I don't fit your narrative."
Melvin was not alone in his line of questioning. Earlier this week, MSNBC political analyst Tiffany Cross asked Bruce LeVell, an RNC media surrogate, if Trump has ever promised him financial benefits in exchange for his support.
"I am curious because when I see folks like you support this president, has Donald Trump ever promised you anything financially in exchange for your blind support of this administration or helping his campaign?" Cross asked LeVell on Saturday.
Neither MSNBC nor Melvin returned requests for comment on whether they've asked surrogates for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden if they've been paid.