In Light Of Attacks on Asian Americans, Mike Shirkey Doubles Down On Racist Comments About COVID-19

As a disturbing pattern of attacks on Asian Americans is rising, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey doubled down on his previous racist comments about the virus. When asked if he regretted calling COVID-19 “The China flu,” Shirkey responded: “Not at all. Not at all. Nope.” [11:30]

During an interview earlier this year, Shirkey echoed the racist rhetoric of Donald Trump on the virus, saying: “The Chinese flu army sent in one of their best soldiers. His name was Rona.”

Crain’s Detroit’s Chad Livengood said Mike Shirkey “is doubling down on xenophobic blame for how the coronavirus has ravaged our state and nation for the past year.” 

Evidence has shown racist, xenophobic comments from far-right extremists like Shirkey can lead to attacks on people and harm their livelihoods. The White House released a report citing Shirkey’s comments earlier this year, saying racist statements like Shirkey’s ”have contributed to increasing rates of bullying, harassment and hate crimes against AAPI persons.” 

Shirkey has a dangerous history of making racist, xenophobic, and sexist comments. And recently, he was caught on video calling the capitol riot a “hoax.”

“Mike Shirkey’s racist and xenophobic comments are endangering people’s lives and livelihoods,” said DGA Deputy Communications Director Sam Newton. “These comments aren’t just a gaffe – Shirkey made these comments on purpose, twice, and he knows exactly what they mean. Shirkey is showing once again that the Michigan GOP has an extremism problem – every single member of the MI GOP should be disavowing Shirkey and his racist rhetoric.”