(OPINION) An Atlanta megachurch pastor and prominent diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activist has ignited a firestorm of controversy after delivering a sermon in which he referred to Black supporters of former President Donald Trump as “coons” and “runaway slaves.”

The remarks, captured on video, have drawn sharp criticism and reignited debates about political division, racial rhetoric, and the role of religious leaders in public discourse.

According to a report by The Gateway Pundit, Jamal Bryant’s comments came during a recent sermon at his Atlanta-based church, where he lambasted Black conservatives who align with Trump.

The outlet published a video of the sermon, showing the pastor using the historically derogatory term “coon” and invoking the imagery of “runaway slaves” to describe Black individuals who support the former president.

The article framed the pastor’s rhetoric as an attack on political dissent within the Black community, suggesting it reflects broader tensions over ideological conformity.

Similarly, Breitbart News covered the incident, emphasizing the pastor’s dual role as a DEI advocate and spiritual leader.

The publication noted that his remarks have raised questions about the consistency of his activism, which ostensibly promotes inclusion, with his use of inflammatory language to criticize fellow Black Americans.

The article highlighted the backlash from conservative commentators who argue that such statements expose hypocrisy among progressive religious figures.

Fox News also reported on the sermon, focusing on the visceral reaction from some churchgoers and the wider public.

The outlet quoted social media posts—without specifying sources—that condemned the pastor’s language as divisive and unbecoming of a man of faith.

The report suggested that the incident could alienate congregants and fuel ongoing cultural debates about race and politics in the United States.

The story gained additional traction through Newsmax, which portrayed the pastor’s comments as emblematic of a broader intolerance within liberal circles toward Black individuals who deviate from expected political alignments.

The publication interviewed a Black Trump supporter who called the remarks “hurtful” and “dehumanizing,” arguing that they undermine the pastor’s credibility as a community leader.

While the pastor has not issued a formal response to the criticism, the controversy has sparked heated discussions online and in conservative media.

Posts found on X reflect a mix of outrage and disbelief, with some users labeling the sermon as a betrayal of Christian values, though these sentiments remain anecdotal and unverified as definitive evidence of public opinion.

Critics of the pastor argue that his choice of words harks back to painful historical stereotypes, weaponizing them against those with differing political views.

Supporters, however, may contend that his frustration stems from a perceived betrayal of collective interests within the Black community—a perspective that has yet to be fully articulated in published defenses from mainstream outlets.

As of now, the incident remains a flashpoint in an already polarized national conversation.

Whether the pastor will address the uproar or double down on his stance is unclear, but the episode underscores the fraught intersection of race, religion, and politics in contemporary America.

For now, news publications across the ideological spectrum continue to dissect the fallout, each framing the story through its own lens while the public watches—and weighs in.