Former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards was panned after saying she’s looking forward to the babies who will be born and named after presumed Vice President-elect Kamala Harris this year.
“Excited for all the babies this year who will be named Kamala!” Richards tweeted on Sunday after most media outlets declared Joe Biden and Harris as the victors of the 2020 presidential election.
Excited for all the babies this year who will be named Kamala! ?
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) November 8, 2020
The tweet earned pushback by some on Twitter, who described it as tone-deaf as Richards worked for the country’s largest abortion provider.
“The babies – especially black babies – who survive to birth will be grateful for the opportunity…” Texas Rep. Chip Roy tweeted, which was echoed by others.
The babies – especially black babies – who survive to birth will be grateful for the opportunity… #StandUpForAmerica #Life https://t.co/5hqBqiWtQC
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) November 9, 2020
From the former president of @PPFA: evil or incredibly, hopelessly tone deaf? https://t.co/nHNzIZxeYa
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) November 9, 2020
Ghoulishly tasteless from Ms. Richards in light of the particular field in which her leadership was most conspicuous. https://t.co/9XxMQnYY0e
— Nan Hayworth, M.D. (@NanHayworth) November 9, 2020
Satan speaks! https://t.co/DI4EV6ulG1
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 9, 2020
For all the babies who WOULD have been named Kamala but never saw the light of day because they were aborted by Planned Parenthood !!! https://t.co/rHV5KILfBA
— Pádraig Ó Cochláin (@PadraigSagart) November 9, 2020
Richards stepped down from her role at Planned Parenthood in 2018 after 12 years with the organization.
“Leading Planned Parenthood over the last 12 years has been the honor of my lifetime. Together, we have made real progress in this country, expanding access to services and making reproductive rights a central priority of our nation’s health care system,” Richards said in a statement at the time.
“Every day we see the incredible power that grassroots voices can have — there has never been a better moment to be an activist. You can bet I’ll be marching right alongside them, continuing to travel around the country advocating for the basic rights and health care that all people deserve. I’ve been an activist my entire life — and that won’t stop any time soon,” she added.
Richards has since co-founded a political action committee called Supermajority, which works to “provide women with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to channel the energy and activism of this moment and change the direction of this country.”
