Van Jones shares impassioned reaction to election on CNN: 'This was a white-lash'

CNN's Van Jones had a impassioned reaction to Donald Trump's major electoral lead on Tuesday night.

While speaking on-air as votes continued to be tallied, Jones expressed strong disdain for what a Trump presidency may mean for average Americans, calling the election a "white-lash" to President Obama's eight years in office.

"This was a rebellion against the elites — true. It was a complete reinvention of politics and polls — it's true. But it was also something else. We've talked about everything but race tonight," he said. "This was a white-lash against a changing country. It was a white-lash against a black president, in part. And that's the part where the pain comes."

He continued, "Donald Trump has a responsibility tonight to come out and reassure people that he is going to be the president of all the people who he insulted and offended and brushed aside."

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The pundit shared that he had immigrant friends who were "terrified" that they would need to flee to country if Trump won: "I have Muslim friends who are texting me tonight saying, 'Should I leave the country?'"

Jones also noted that Election Night results may be difficult for parents to relay to their children.

"You tell your kids, 'Don't be a bully.' You tell your kids, 'Don't be a bigot.' You tell your kids, 'Do your homework and be prepared.' And then you have this outcome and you have people putting children to bed tonight, and they're afraid of breakfast. They're [asking], 'How do I explain this to my children?'"

Jones' passionate reaction to Trump's lead in the polls was quickly praised on social media. Ben Stiller, Chance the Rapper and more celebrities shared his sentiments on Twitter. Jones himself tweeted shortly after, "Welcome to the #WhiteLash."

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