>> WORKING IN THE CLEANUPS AND
THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE

WOULD BE OUT THERE AND THERE
WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THEIR

WITH TRUMP MEMORABILIA, THE
MAGA HAT'S AND EVERYTHING.

SOME PEOPLE WERE SAYING, I
CANNOT BELIEVE YOU SUPPORT

TRUMP.

TRUMP.

>> Bonnie: HELLO.

I AM BONNIE ERB.

WELCOME TO "TO THE CONTRARY".

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE OUR WOMEN
THOUGHT LEADERS SERIES WITH KIM

CLAY SIX, A REPUBLICAN
COMMENTATOR.

SHE CAME TO PROMINENCE AFTER A
VIDEO SHE POSTED OF RATS IN

BALTIMORE WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY
PRESIDENT TRUMP.

SHE IS NOW ONE OF THE
PRESIDENT'S MOST INFLUENTIAL

BLACK FEMALE SUPPORTERS ON
SOCIAL MEDIA AND CABLE.

WELCOME TO YOU, KIM.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Bonnie: AND YOU OBVIOUSLY
HAVE A VERY BRIGHT POLITICAL

FUTURE.

>> I HOPE SO.

>> YOU ANNOUNCED THIS PAST WEEK
HE WILL BE RETURNING YOUR START

ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH THE FACTS
AND THE PRESIDENT INTO A

POLITICAL CAREER FOR YOURSELF.

WHY DON'T YOU TELL THE AUDIENCE
ABOUT IT?

>> Kim: I KIND OF GOT INVOLVED
IN POLITICS BACK IN 2014.

I WAS A VOLUNTEER ON CAPITOL
HILL, AND I VOLUNTEERED WITH

THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL.

WE WERE IN AND BASICALLY
HELPING WITH TOURS AND MEMBERS

OF CONGRESS GETTING TO THEIR
MEETINGS WHICH THEY STILL GET

LOST.

I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT THEY DO.

>> Bonnie: THAT'S A WEIRD
CAMPUS UP THERE, CONFUSING.

>> Kim: YES, IT IS.

WHY WOULD HELP WITH THAT.

THEN I WOULD GO IN AND SIT ON
SOME OF THE HEARINGS AND JUST

LISTEN AND KIND OF HEAR ABOUT
WHAT'S GOING ON.

SO I ENDED UP JOINING A GROUP
CALLED POLITICAL CHICKS AND

STARTED WRITING FOR THEIR BLOG.

SO I'VE BEEN LUCKY AND HOW I
FELL INTO A BUT I CONTINUED AND

KEPT GOING.

BACK IN 2008 I VOTED FOR
PRESIDENT OBAMA, DEMOCRAT FOR

SURE.

AND THEN IN 2012, RON, I
QUESTIONED, YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS

GOING ON.

I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW WHY?

MAYBE, JUST MAYBE I'M NOT A
DEMOCRAT.

I STARTED READING MORE ABOUT
CONSERVATIVE VALUES.

AFTER A WHILE I DECIDED, MAYBE,
I AM CONSERVATIVE.

I DID NOT VOTE IN 2012.

I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH MITT
ROMNEY ALSO.

SO ACTUALLY I SAVE MY VOTE AND
I DID VOTE LOCAL ELECTIONS BUT

NOT PRESIDENTIAL.

MOVING FORWARD, I ENDED UP
VOTING FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP IN

2016.

>> Bonnie: ARE YOU HAPPY WITH
THAT BOAT?

>> Kim: I AM HAPPY, YES, YES.

>> Bonnie: ARE YOU A WOMAN'S
RIGHTS ADVOCATE?

>> Kim: I AM, I GUESS YOU
COULD SAY.

I LOVE MY RIGHTS, YOU KNOW.

I AM A WOMAN.

I GUESS I DON'T ALWAYS LOOK AT
THINGS AS MAY BE EVERYONE ELSE.

GENDER OR COLOR, YOU KNOW.

I LOOK AT US WE ARE ALL IN THE
IN THE SAME TEAM, WE ARE ALL

AMERICANS.

I DON'T VIEW IT AS WOMEN'S OR
LATINOS, WHATEVER, JUST WE

SHOULD BE IN THE SAME GROUP.

>> Bonnie: I ASKED THE
QUESTION BECAUSE I WAS WONDER

HOW WOMEN WHO CALL THEMSELVES
WOMEN'S RIGHTS ADVOCATES, AND

MANY OF HIS FEMALE SUPPORTERS
DO, FEEL ABOUT WHAT HE'S BEEN

CHARGED WITH, RAPING WOMEN,
ATTACKING WOMEN, BRAGGING ON

RADIO WITH HOWARD STERN BUT
WHEN YOU GRAB WOMEN BY THE

GENITALS THEY REALLY LIKE IT.

HOW, WHEN YOU HEAR THAT HE IS
RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND YOU ARE

FOR HIM, WHAT DOES THAT MAKE
YOU THINK?

>> Kim: I CAN SEE HOW PEOPLE
ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT FOR

SURE.

IT'S DEFINITELY NOT WHAT YOU
WANT TO HEAR.

I HAVE A DAUGHTER AND I DON'T
WANT MY DAUGHTER TO HEAR IT.

I GUESS AT THE SAME TIME I KIND
OF LOOK AT IS LIKE 22 WOMEN

CAME FORWARD, AND I DON'T KNOW
IF SOME ARE STILL IN THE

PROCESS, BUT HE HAS YET TO BE
CONVICTED, YOU KNOW?

IT'S KIND OF LIKE, IS HE REALLY
GUILTY?

I'M NOT SURE.

I'M THE KIND OF PERSON THAT
WAITS IT OUT.

ON TOPIC, I AM WONDERING, I
KNOW YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD OF

THE/FUND BOOK, AND $17 MILLION
HAS BEEN PAID OUT TO PEOPLE

THAT FILE HARASSMENT CLAIMS ON
CAPITOL HILL.

I LEARNED ABOUT THAT WHILE
VOLUNTEERING ON CAPITOL HILL.

THERE IS A SECRET SLUSH FUND
AND THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

I THOUGHT, WELL, YOU KNOW, THE
PUBLIC IS NOT MADE AWARE OF

THAT.

WE ARE MADE AWARE OF EVERYTHING
THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DONE,

BUT THE PUBLIC STILL DOES NOT
KNOW EVEN WHAT THEIR MEMBERS

HAVE DONE.

>> Bonnie: YOU ARE RUNNING FOR
THE SEAT VACATED BY THE PASSING

OF ELIJAH CUMMINGS WHO WAS A
CIVIL RIGHTS ICON, REALLY.

AND MARYLAND IS A BLUE STATE,
AND THERE ARE ELECTIONS LAST

WEEK IN SEVERAL STATES
INCLUDING VIRGINIA WHICH WENT

TO AN ALL DEMOCRATIC SWITCH TO
AN ALL DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED

GOVERNMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN 26 YEARS.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT YOU
RUNNING AS A REPUBLICAN IN

MARYLAND?

>> Kim: DEFINITELY.

IT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE, FOR
SURE.

FIRST, IT'S GOING BACK A BIT.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY
CONGRESSMAN CUMMINGS, AND HE

WAS A GREAT GUY AND EVERYONE
TRULY LOVED HIM, BUT AS FAR AS

CIVIL RIGHTS, I THINK SOMETIMES
PEOPLE GET CONFUSED BECAUSE HE

WAS A CHILD AT THE TIME.E
USED TO TALK ABOUT HOW HE USED

TO LISTEN TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER
KING JR. ON THE RADIO WHILE HE

WAS AT SCHOOL OR WHEN HE GOT
OUT OF SCHOOL.

BUT AS FAR AS RUNNING IN
MARYLAND AND WHAT HAPPENED LAST

WEEK IN VIRGINIA, I MEAN, THAT
WAS INSANE AND I KNOW I GOT A

LOT OF BACKLASH BECAUSE IT SAID
SOMETHING ON TWITTER, BUT I

KNOW, LIKE MANY PEOPLE KNOW,
THAT THE GOP AND THE RNC IS,

WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM, THEY
ARE NOT DOING A WHOLE LOT AS

FAR AS VOTER OUTREACH.

THEY COULD BE DOING A LOT MORE,
AND THEY ALWAYS TOOK THESE

NUMBERS FOR RAISING MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS EXTRA PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WELL, WHERE IS THAT MONEY BEING
SPENT?

OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT BEING SPENT
ON A GRASSROOTS EFFORT.

YES, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT
THAT AND I KNOW I'M GOING TO

HAVE TO KNOCK ON EVERY SINGLE
DOOR MYSELF, GOING SHAKE EVERY

SINGLE HAND.

IT'S A SPECIAL ELECTION, SO
IT'S VERY SHORT.

MY PRIMARY IS FEBRUARY 4. THE
GENERAL IS HOPEFULLY IF I MAKE

IT, IT'S APRIL 28, AND IT
SHORT.

IT'S CONDENSED AND I'VE GOT A
WORK HARD, BUT I'M UP FOR THE

CHALLENGE.

>> Bonnie: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
YOU TALK AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND

TELL THEM YOU ARE REPUBLICAN IN
THE TRUMP SUPPORTER?

DO THEY LOOK AT YOU SIDEWAYS?

å0 PERCENT OF

ORTER?

AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN VOTED
FOR HILLARY CLINTON, LET'S

REMEMBER> Kim: DEFINITELY.

EVEN WORKING IN THE CLEANUPS
AND THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW,

WE WOULD BE OUT THERE AND THERE
WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE WEARING

THEIR TRUMP MEMORABILIA,
THEY'VE GOT THE MAGA HATS AND

EVERYTHING.

SOME PEOPLE SAY, OH, CANNOT
BELIEVE YOU SUPPORT TRUMP.

YOU KNOW, I WAS LIKE, WELL,
LOOK AT IT LIKE THIS: THERE'S A

LOT OF THIS TRASH AND IT'S BEEN
SITTING HERE FOR ALMOST A YEAR.

IF NOT FOR DRUM, WE WOULD NOT
BE HERE REMOVING IT.

THE CITY NOW WITH BALTIMORE IN
PUBLIC WORKS, THEY WOULD NOT

LOOK AT IT.

SO WE CAN HATE TRUMP ALL DAY,
BUT THE FACT THAT HE ACTUALLY

BROUGHT LIGHT TO THE SITUATION
IS A REASON IS BEING REMOVED.

SOME PEOPLE WILL THEN LOOK AT
ME AND SAY, OKAY, YOU ARE RIGHT

ABOUT THAT AND WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> Bonnie: BUT WE HAVE TO DO A
COUPLE STEPS WALKING BACKWARD

FIRST WHICH IS THAT YOU TOOK
THE VIDEO AND POSTED IT ON

SOCIAL MEDIA OF RATS IN THE
TRASH AND BALTIMORE AND THAT

WENT VIRAL.

EVENTUALLY, THE PRESIDENT
SUPPORTED.

HE CAME OUT AND NAMED YOU AND
SUPPORTED YOU.

ARE YOU SURE THE CITY WOULD NOT
BE PICKING UP TRASH IF IT WERE

NOT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYING
SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

I MEAN, THESE ARE THINGS CITIES
ROUTINELY DO.

>> Kim: RIGHT.

YES.

UNFORTUNATELY, NOT IN EVERY
NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND SO, THAT'S THE PART ABOUT
BALTIMORE.

THERE IS A TALE OF TWO
BALTIMORES.

NOT ALL NEIGHBORHOODS ARE
TREATED EQUALLY PRETTY OF EAST

AND WEST BALTIMORE, THEN THE
SUBPARTS OF SOUTH BALTIMORE,

FEDERAL HILL WHICH IS TREATED
GREAT, PORT COVINGTON WAS AN

UPCOMING COMING PROPERTIES, TON
OF RESOURCES.

YOU WILL NEVER SEE TRASH OR
RATS IN THESE AREAS, BUT IN

PARTS OF EAST BALTIMORE AND
WEST BALTIMORE AND SOUTH

BALTIMORE IN CHERRY HILL YOU
WILL SEE A ILLEGAL DUMPING AND

VACANT HOUSES AND TRASH
EVERYWHERE.

SO JUST I WOULD SAY PROBABLY A
MONTH AGO, CITY HALL HAD A

MEETING WITH THOSE THAT ARE
CONNECTED TO THE 311 SERVICE,

THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE CALLED HAVE
TRASH AND THINGS ARE MOVED, AND

THEY HAD A MEETING.

I WENT TO SIT IN ON IT.

I DO NOT HAVE TO TALK, JUST
WANTED TO HEAR WHAT WAS GOING

ON.

THEN THEY ALL REALIZE, YOU
KNOW, WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN A

ROOM TOGETHER BEFORE.

NEVER TALKED ABOUT WHY WE'VE
HAD SO MANY ISSUES GETTING THIS

DONE.

THEY EVEN TALKED ABOUT HOW
EFFECTIVE ONLY HAD FIVE

VENDORS, I GUESS, GOING AROUND
TO CUT GRASS IN CITY-OWNED

PROPERTIES.

THAT'S WHY THERE WAS SUCH A
BACKLOG.

THEY ARE JUST NOW FINDING OUT
ALL THESE INEFFICIENCIES WITHIN

THIS DEPARTMENT OR MANY
DEPARTMENTS CONNECTED TO THE

311 SERVICES.

AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THAT MEETING
WAS NOT ON THE BOOKS UNTIL

AFTER THE RATS IN TRASH VIDEOS.

>> Bonnie: HASN'T THERE BEEN
SOME PUBLICITY AROUND THE FACT

THAT BALTIMORE IS LOSING
POPULATION, IT'S A DWINDLING IN

TERMS OF PEOPLE AND IN TERMS OF
FINANCIAL SUPPORT, TAX BASE.

>> Kim: YEAH.

>> Bonnie: IS LOSING PEOPLE.

AND THE -- PRESIDENT TRUMP IS
NOT OUT THERE SUPPORTING URBAN

RENEWAL THAT I KNOW OF, IF
ANYTHING, HE IS CUTTING BACK

FEDERAL HOUSING GRANTS AND
THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY
THAT BALTIMORE, BECAUSE OF THE

DWINDLING TAX BASE, CANNOT
POSSIBLY FIX ITSELF WITHOUT

FEDERAL SUPPORT.

WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT
ISSUE?

>> Kim: WELL, WE COULD
DEFINITELY USE MORE FEDERAL

SUPPORT, BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS
WHAT PLACING THE BLAME OTHER

THAN ON THEMSELVES.

BALTIMORE CITY IS VERY
ANTIBUSINESS.

THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE VOTING ON A
PLASTIC BAG BAN.

WITH THAT BAN THEY WILL
ACTUALLY HAVE PAPER BAGS WHERE

THAT IS GOING TO COME TO
ATTACKS TO THE CONSUMER AND TO

THE ACTUAL STORES --
>> Bonnie:

[CROSS TALK]
>> Bonnie: YOU MEAN D.C.

ALREADY DOES, THEY CHARGE YOU
FIVE CENTS FOR A PLASTIC BAG,

BUT A PAPER BAG THERE IS NO
CHARGE?

>> Kim: NO, NO.

FIVE CENTS PER PAPERBACK IN
PLASTIC BAGS WILL NOT BE

AVAILABLE.

THEY BELIEVE THAT PLASTIC IS
POLLUTING THE STREETS, SO THEY

WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.

>> Bonnie: ARE THEY WRONG
ABOUT THAT?

>> Kim: WELL, I'VE BEEN OUT
THERE WITH THE TRASH.

I DID NOT SEE A TON OF PLASTIC
BAGS, I HAVE TO TELL YOU.

I SAW MORE MATTRESSES AND
DRYWALL IN FURNISHINGS.

I DID NOT SEE A TON OF PLASTIC
BAGS, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ON

EVERY STREET.

I CANNOT SAY THAT THEY ARE NOT
THERE.

BUT THEY EVEN BANNED STYROFOAM.

THERE WAS PUSHBACK FROM
MOM-AND-POP SHOPS THAT

BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, THERE TO
GO CONTAINERS WERE STYROFOAM

AND THEY ARE CHEAPER FOR THEM
AND ABLE TO DO AND USE THOSE.

THEY BANNED THOSE THAT WAS
ANOTHER HIT AGAINST THE SMALL

BUSINESS.

SO THEY ARE ANTIBUSINESS, AND
SO THEY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND -- I

KNOW THEY LOVE TO I CALL IT
GRANDSTANDING.

YOU KNOW, THEY WANT TO GET ON
ON THE TRENDS ACROSS THE

NATION, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WHEN
IT COMES TO BALTIMORE CITY AND

OUR LOW POPULATION AND THE
CRIME AND VIOLENCE AND

HOMELESSNESS, YOU HAVE TO DO A
CARVE OUT WHEN IT COMES TO SOME

OF THESE THINGS THEY WANT TO BE
ON TOP OF.

I GET IT.

IT SOUNDS GREAT TO WANT TO BE
FOR POLLUTION -- AGAINST

POLLUTION AND FOR CLIMATE
CHANGE AND ALL.

IT SOUNDS LOVELY AND I WISH WE
WERE AT THAT LEVEL, BUT WE ARE

JUST NOT.

>> Bonnie: MOST MILLENNIALS,
AND I PRESUME YOU ARE

MILLENNIAL OREGON GEN X.>
Kim: THANKS LYFT.

>> Bonnie: MOST MILLENNIALS
SEE CLIMATE CHANGE -- THIS IS

WHERE THE PRESIDENT IS LOSING
YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE CRAZY,

BECAUSE THEY FEEL THOSE THINGS
ARE NECESSARY, THAT THERE WILL

NOT BE, YOU KNOW, SUSTAINED
HUMAN LIFE ON EARTH WITHOUT

MAKING MAJOR CHANGES TO THE WAY
WE LIVE.

WHY DO YOU OPPOSE YOUR
GENERATION ON THIS ISSUE?

>> Kim: I DON'T OPPOSE THEM.

I GUESS I ASSOCIATE IT AS A
PRIORITY AMONG OTHER THINGS AT

THIS POINT.

OUR HOMELESS POPULATION IN
BALTIMORE CITY, LIKE YOU SAID,

THE POPULATION ITSELF IS
DWINDLING, BUT OUR HOMELESS

POPULATION IS OUT OF CONTROL.

SURE, WE COULD HAVE CLEAN AIR
ACT AS IF YOU'RE LIVING ON THE

STREETS, YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S
GREAT.

BUT WE HAVE TO DO WITH THE FACT
THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE

DOING RIGHT NOW IS NOT WORKING.

OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, YOU KNOW,
I HEAR BERNIE SANDERS AND

ELIZABETH WARREN TALKING ABOUT
FREE COLLEGE.

FREE COLLEGE, YOU'VE GOT TO GET
IN FIRST.

WE HAVE KIDS THAT CANNOT EVEN
GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE

KIDS THAT CANNOT PASS, YOU
KNOW, BASIC MATH AND READING

COURSES.

IT'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, THEY WILL
BE LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE A LOT OF

EMPLOYERS WILL SAY, WELL, WHERE
IS YOUR FREE COLLEGE?

IT'S FREE?

WHY ISN'T IT ON YOUR RESUME?

YOU'VE GOT TO GET IN.

BEFORE WE TAKE THAT STEP, I
THINK WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT

ALL THE CHILDREN ARE EDUCATED
ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO

THAT FREE COLLEGE, BECAUSE IT
IS A PRIVILEGE.

>> Bonnie: SO YOU ARE BLAMING
IT ON THE SCHOOLS, NOT ON THE

PARENTS?

>> Kim: NO, NO, NO.

NOT AT ALL.

I USED TO DO HOME VISITS, I WAS
VENDOR FOR BALTIMORE CITY

SCHOOLS.

TRUST ME, I KNOW THERE IS A LOT
OF PROBLEMS AT HOME AS WELL.

BUT IT'S HOME --> Bonnie:
HOW CAN YOU EXPECT A CHILD

WHOSE MOTHER IS A PROSTITUTE
AND IS ADDICTED TO CRACK OR

HEROIN OR OPIOIDS, WHATEVER IT
IS, AND DOES NOT EVEN FEED THE

KID BREAKFAST TO DO WELL IN
FIRST GRADE?

>> Kim: THAT'S A TOUGH ISSUE,
IT IS.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE RIGHT NOW,
THEY ARE SO MANY METHADONE

CLINICS IN WEST BALTIMORE, YOU
WOULD THINK YOU COULD HANDLE

SOME OF THIS.

THAT'S ANOTHER THING, WE WOULD
HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT AND SEE

IF THE METHADONE CLINICS ARE
WORKING AND WHAT'S GOING ON.

BUT IT IS A PROBLEM, MAJOR
PROBLEM.

I KNOW SOMEBODY, DR. THOMPSON
BACK IN DR. DORNEY, WHO USED TO

BE THE CEO OF THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, I THINK YOU PROPOSE TO

DO IN BOARDING SCHOOL FOR SOME
KIDS THAT MAY BE HAD A TOUGH

HOME LIFE.

THEY SAID NO, THEY ARE NOT
INTERESTED.

THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY ARE
SPENDING PER PUPIL, THEY COULD

ACTUALLY AFFORD THAT, YOU KNOW?

I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF
OBSTACLES, THERE IS.

YOU KNOW, NOT JUST THE PARENTS.

I'M NOT BLAMING THE TEACHERS.

THEY ARE JUST SO MANY OBSTACLES
THAT IT'S TOUGH, BUT THERE ARE

OTHER CITIES LIKE D.C. THAT DO
WELL.

I KNOW IT'S POSSIBLE.

>> Bonnie: DESCRIBED TO ME
THEN HOW IT FELT TO BECOME SORT

OF SOCIAL MEDIA FAMOUS BECAUSE
OF PRESIDENT TRUMP . TELL ME

ABOUT HOW THAT WENT FOR YOU.

>> Kim: INTERESTING FOR SURE.

I LOST A LOT OF PEOPLE I
THOUGHT WERE MY FRIENDS.

YOU KNOW, AT THIS TIME I WAS
DOING MEDIA ALREADY.

AND SO, I GUESS WHEN YOU'RE IN
THAT MEDIA BUSINESS, EVERYONE

WANTS THE HIT STORY, EVERYONE
WANTS TO GO VIRAL.

AND SO IT WAS TOUGH BECAUSE I
HAD ACTUALLY HAVE -- I HAD

SOMEONE I CONSIDERED A CLOSE
FRIEND, THEY SAW THE VIDEO

SINCE ALL TRUMP TWEET IT AND
THEY SAID, YOU KNOW, YOUR

VIDEOS ARE NOT COMPREHENSIVE
ENOUGH.

A WEEK LATER I REALIZED HE HAD
A BALTIMORE VIDEO COMING OUT,

BUT IT WAS ABOUT THE VACANCIES
AND HOMELESS.

IT DID NOT DO ANY VIEWS
BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE RATS AND

TRASH I'VE TAKEN OVER.

I JUST IT MAY BE WHY HE WAS NOT
SO HAPPY ABOUT IT.

BUT, YEAH, I LEARNED VERY
QUICKLY HOW CUTTHROAT MEDIA

BUSINESS CAN BE AND, YOU KNOW,
MY MOM WAS A LITTLE WORRIED FOR

MY SAFETY.

[LAUGHTER]
>> Kim: SHE'S LIKE, OH, NO.

SHE'S HARD-CORE DEMOCRAT.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO KNOW THAT
I'M YOUR MOM AND YOU SUPPORT

TRUMP AND THEY ARE GOING TO GET
ME AT WORK.

UNLIKE, MOM, THAT'S NOT GOING
TO HAPPEN.

SO SHE WAS FINE.

I SAID IT'S A NEWS CYCLE.

IT GOES ON.

MAYBE GOES ON FOR THREE DAYS
AND THEN IT'S OVER.

>> Bonnie: BUT YOU ARE TALKING
ABOUT ALL NEGATIVES.

WERE THERE POSITIVES TO IT?

>> Kim: IT WAS TOUGH, BECAUSE,
YOU KNOW, IT WAS A WEIRD

FEELING.

THE LOCAL MEDIA STATIONS WERE
LIKE, HOW DEAR YOU, CALLED THIS

#WE ARE BALTIMORE STARTED.

HOW DARE YOU SHOW THE TRASH IN
THE RATS?

WE ARE MORE THAN THAT.

I SAY, YOU KNOW, FOR YOU TO
BASICALLY SAY THIS IS NOT

HAPPENING OR NOT IN CERTAIN
NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU KNOW, YOU

ARE BASICALLY JUST KIND OF
SAYING, OKAY, SLEEP THOUGHT

UNDER THE RUG YOU ARE NOT DOING
ANY FAVORS.

IT'S NOT HELPING THEM IN ANY
WAY.UT THEN I WOULD GO BACK

TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS I WAS IN
BED I SHOT THE VIDEOS, AND THEY

WERE LIKE, KIM YOU WILL NOT
BELIEVE IT, PEOPLE ARE COMING

TO PICK IT UP.

WE ARE SO HAPPY.

SO EXCITED.

SO THAT'S WHEN I TALKED TO
PEOPLE WON-ON-ONE. YOU KNOW

WHAT?

IF THIS IS WHAT TRUMP DOES, I
MIGHT VOTE FOR TRUMP.

>> Bonnie: BUT WHAT DID HE --
I MEAN, DID HE CHANGE ANY

POLICIES?

DID HE GIVE THE MONEY -- I'M
THINKING, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS A

ONE-OFF DEAL.

THIS IS GOING TO MEAN THAT ALL
THE POOR NEIGHBORHOODS IN

BALTIMORE, AND WE KNOW CLIMATE
CHANGE, A LOT OF THOSE THINGS,

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AFFECT
POOR NEIGHBORHOODS MORE BECAUSE

THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES
TO HIRE ENOUGH GARBAGE

COLLECTORS BECAUSE THEY DON'T
HAVE WHATEVER IT IS, ENOUGH

MONEY TO GET THE CORPORATIONS
DUMPING TOXIC WASTE TO DO IT

SOMEWHERE ELSE,
LIKE THE RICH NEIGHBORHOODS

HAVE.

SO, I MEAN, OR THEY MAY BE
GIVING HIM TOO MUCH CREDIT?

IS THIS MEAN FOREVER HE IS FIX
THAT PROBLEM?

>> Kim: NO, BUT I THINK PEOPLE
NOW KNOW IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS

THEY DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT IT.

THE FACT THAT THEY GOT ON IT
AND CLEANED IT UP, YOU KNOW,

ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THEY THEN
REALIZE, WOW, SO SOMEONE

ACTUALLY CAN COME GET THIS ONE
WE ASK SOMEONE TO CONNECT I

LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE THERE WAS
-- ÷¦

>> Bonnie: WERE THEY 20
ALREADY ASKING?

>> Kim: THERE WAS A BACKLOG
AND THAT'S WHY THEY DID THE 311

SERVICES MEETING.

311 SAID, WE NEED MORE MONEY.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE
THAT CAN GO INTO THESE CERTAIN

NEIGHBORHOODS TO CLEAN.

YOU KNOW?

SO THEN THEY ASKED, HOW COME
OUR REASON AND EVERYTHING ELSE

IS CLEANED?

THEY ARE LIKE, OKAY, WE HAVE
PEOPLE THAT ARE OKAY TO GO IN

THESE NEIGHBORHOODS TO CLEAN.

THEY MADE IT MORE OF A SO
VIOLENT DON'T WANT TO BE THERE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I GUESS SOME
PEOPLE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THERE

REALLY IS A TALE TO OF TWO
BALTIMORE'S.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE THE LAST
EITHER.

THE FACT YOU CAN GO FIVE BLOCKS
OVER AND FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN A

TOTALLY DIFFERENT WORLD.

AFTER 2015 RIOTS WHEN FREDDIE
GRAY, AND I SAY KILLED BECAUSE

HE DEFINITELY DID NOT DIE IN
HIS OWN IN THE BACK OF THE

PADDY WAGON, BUT AFTER THAT,
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE RIOTS IN

THE LOOTERS.

UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN WHEN BERNIE
SANDERS CAME TO TOWN, HE SAID,

WOW, LOOKS LIKE ONE-THIRD WORLD
COUNTRY OVER HERE.THAT'S THE

NEIGHBORHOOD I WAS IN WITH THE
RATS AND TRASH.

I WAS THERE FOR TWO WEEKS AND I
HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

I GOT BIT BY A RAT NIGHTS.

I DID NOT KNOW RATS HAD LIGHTS.

APPARENTLY, THEY CARRY MITES ON
THEM.

I DID NOT ACTUALLY GO IN TOUCH
A RAT, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> Bonnie: JUST THE COVERAGE
YOU ARE HANDLING.

>> Kim: AND I WAS IN ABANDONED
HOMES.

THERE WERE MITES ALL AROUND.

YOU KNOW, THESE ARE PEOPLE
DEALING WITH US ALL THE TIME

AND IT'S TOUGH.

I THINK THEY NEED SOMEONE TO
COME AND HELP THEM IN PRESIDENT

TRUMP POINTED OUT ALL THE MONEY
THAT WAS SENT TO BALTIMORE IN

THE PAST FOUR YEARS S.

NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE AN
ACCOUNTING FOR THAT.

THERE IS PROBABLY A GOOD AUDIT
THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AS WELL.

>> Bonnie: INTERESTING.

NOW, DO YOU THINK THIS
REPUBLICAN PARTY OR HOW DO YOU

THINK THIS REPUBLICAN PARTY IS
GOING TO DO IN THE PRESIDENTIAL

ELECTION IN 2020?

>> Kim: IT'S TOUGH TO SAY.

YOU KNOW, I LOOK AT THE MARGINS
AND I SAY, OKAY.

GOSH, ESPECIALLY IN VIRGINIA,
TRUMP, HE WON IN SOME OF THOSE

COUNTIES THAT LOST LAST WEEK
FAIRLY WELL, EVEN UP BY 20.

THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAD
A DEMOCRATIC TAKEOVER IN THOSE

AREAS, WHICH THE INCUMBENT WAS
REPUBLICAN FOREVER, THAT'S --

THAT'S FRUSTRATING.

I HOPE THE GOP, THE RNC TAKE A
LOOK AT THIS AND SAY, OKAY, WE

HAVE TO GET BOOTS ON THE
GROUND.

BECAUSE, OTHERWISE, IT WILL BE
SKETCHY.

I THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP IS
DOING A GOOD JOB.

HIS RALLIES ARE ALL
ENTERTAINING, ALWAYS LOTS OF

PEOPLE THERE.

BUT HE'S JUST ONE PERSON, YOU
KNOW?

THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE A TEAM.

>> Bonnie: DO YOU EVER WISH
THERE WERE A THIRD PARTY?

I'M ASKING THAT BECAUSE IT'S
WANTING TO GO FROM BEING A

DEMOCRAT TO BEING MAY BE AN
INDEPENDENT OR EVEN A LIBERAL

REPUBLICAN, WHO DON'T EXIST
ANYMORE, REALLY, BUT USED TO BE

A VIBRANT PART OF THE PARTY MAY
BE TRYING TO BUILD THAT UP

AGAIN TO BEING A TRUMPER.

>> Kim: I LOOK AT AS TRUMP IS
NOT REALLY A REPUBLICAN.

BECAUSE HE WAS A DEMOCRAT.

LOOK AT HIM OR IF IT'S
INDEPENDENT.

REMEMBER WHEN YOU FIRST GOT IN
OFFICE, OR NO,, HE'S GOING TO

DO FOR EVERYONE.

HE'S GOING TO DEPART DACA.

HE HASN'T DONE THAT.

I DON'T THINK HE EVER REALLY
WANTED TO.

MY FATHER USED TO SAY I'M
SOCIALLY LIBERAL AND PHYSICALLY

CONSERVATIVE BELIEVE THAT
POINT OF A NONPROFIT UP AND

DOING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR
SEVEN YEARS IN BALTIMORE, SOME

PARTS OF WEST BALTIMORE.

I DO HELP PEOPLE.

I'M NOT ONE OF THOSE
EXTREMISTS.

OH, PULL YOURSELF BY YOUR
BOOTSTRAPS.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU NEED
HELPOU KNOW?

I HAVE HAD HELP IN MY PAST.

AND SO I CANNOT IMAGINE TURNING
MY BACK ON ANYONE, BUT AT THE

SAME TIME IT'S LIKE WE CANNOT
JUST KEEP HANDING THEM THINGS

AND THINKING THEY WILL
EVENTUALLY DO FOR THEMSELVES.

I LIKE TO BASICALLY, YOU KNOW,
BRIDGE THAT GAP AND SAY, OKAY,

YOU MIGHT BE LIVING ON
DEPENDENT ON THE GOVERNMENT

NOW, BUT WHAT STEPS CAN WE TAKE
TO GO TO FINANCIAL

INDEPENDENCE?

LET'S WORK ON IT, FIGURE IT
OUT.

>> Bonnie: YOU MENTIONED
IMMIGRATION, THAT HE'S DONE

NOTHING ABOUT IT.

I'M IN TOUCH WITH A LOT OF
PRO-AND ANTI-IMMIGRATION

GROUPS.

THEY WOULD DISPUTE YOU ON THAT
POINT.

HE IS, BECAUSE OF MAKING MEXICO
BE MORE VIGILANT ABOUT NOT

LETTING SOUTH AMERICAN AND
CENTRAL AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO ARE

ON THEIR WAY UP TO ILLEGALLY
IMMIGRATING TO THE UNITED

STATES GO THROUGH THEIR
SOUTHERN BORDER, HE IS ACTUALLY

CUT WAY BACK ON THE NUMBER OF
ILLEGAL ENTRIES TO THE UNITED

STATES.

BUT ASIDE FROM THAT, GIVE ME AN
ISSUE WHERE HE HIS LIBERAL

POLITICALLY.> Kim: I THINK
A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WAS

ANTI-GAY OR ANTI-LGBTQ
COMMUNITY.

I DON'T SEE THAT IN HIM.

I DON'T SEE HIM EVER -- HE
TWEETS A LOT, YOU KNOW.

LET'S BE HONEST.

I DON'T SEE HIM TREATING
ANYTHING ANTI-GAY OR ANYTHING

LIKE THAT.

>> Bonnie: I DON'T SEE HIM TO
ANYTHING PRO LGBTQ?

>> Kim: HE STRIKES ME AS A GUY
WHO PROBABLY DOES NOT PAY

ATTENTION TO IT.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> Kim: DOES NOT DESCRIBE A
LIBERAL TWO-TIER?

>> Kim: I DON'T THINK IS
LIBERAL, YOU KNOW?

I THINK LIBERALS DO PAY
ATTENTION TO THE GENDER AND

IDENTITY POLITICS SIDE.

BUT IF HE'S ANYTHING LIKE ME,
NOTHING THAT I WOULD

DISCRIMINATE SOMEONE.

I'M NOT THAT LIFESTYLE.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE
INVOLVED IN ANYONE'S LOVE LIFE.

I'M FOR SMALLER GOVERNMENT.

SO, I THINK SOMETIMES,
ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE

ARE A BIT CONFUSED ON WHAT ARE
CONSERVATIVE VALUES VERSUS WHAT

ARE NOT.

>> Bonnie: AND WHAT ABOUT
OTHER ISSUES WHERE YOU WOULD

SAY THAT HE -- I MEAN, HE'S NOT
LIBERAL ON WOMEN'S ISSUES FOR

SURE.

HE'S APPOINTED SUPREME COURT
JUSTICES WHO ARE EXTREMELY

CONSERVATIVE, VERY
PRO-CORPORATE, VERY ENTIRE

SMALL BUSINESS, ETC., VERY --
YOU KNOW, HE'S A POPULIST AND

THAT WAY.

BUT GIVE ME SOME -- CERTAINLY
NOT PROGRESSIVE AT ALL ON

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

HE IS TOTALLY THE OTHER END.

>> Kim: YEAH.

I WAS LOOK AT THAT.

I KNOW THIS MAY SOUND CRAZY, I
LOOK AT THAT AS PERSONALITY

TYPES TOO.

SOME PEOPLE I THINK PERSONALITY
TYPE, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE

THINKING ABOUT THE
ENVIRONMENTAL ALL THE TIME.

WE SEE THIS BACK IN HISTORY.

THEY CALLED THEM HIPPIES, I
GUESS, TREE HOOKERS AND ALL

THAT.

IT'S LIKE, I THINK SOMETIMES IF
YOUR PERSONALITY DOES NOT FIT

WITH THAT, IT JUST DOESN'T.

LIKE ME, I'M ALWAYS THINKING
BUSINESS, RIGHT?

SURE, SOMEONE MAY SAY, WELL,
THAT'S NOT VERY SOCIALLY

LIBERAL OF YOU.

IT'S LIKE, WELL, NO, IN A WAY
IT IS BECAUSE WHEN I SPEAK TO

STUDENTS AT THE BALTIMORE CITY
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I TELL THEM

THIS IS A WAY FOR YOU TO BE
PRO-BUSINESS, YOU CAN BE AN

ENTREPRENEUR, YOU CAN DO THIS,
THEY SAY, OH, WOW, WE CAN DO

THIS, THAT?

THINK ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA,
PEOPLE SPRINGING BUSINESSES ON

SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY.

THAT'S WHAT I BRING TO THE
TABLE.

AS AN ENVIRONMENTALIST, THEY
CAN BRING THAT TO THE TABLE.

I WOULD NOT SHOO THEM AWAY AND
I WOULD LISTEN.

>> Bonnie: THANK YOU.

INTERESTING OPINIONS.

VERY INTERESTING TAKE.

REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME
WITH US.

>> Kim: THANK YOU.

>> Bonnie: THANK YOU, KIM.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU IN YOUR
FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

>> Kim: THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> Bonnie: THAT'S IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "TO THE CONTRARY".

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND
VISIT OUR WEBSITE,

PBS.org/TOTHECONTRARY.

WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO
THE CONTRARY, SEE YOU NEXT

WEEK.

FOR A TRANSCRIPT OR SEE AN
ONLINE EPISODE OF "TO THE

CONTRARY," PLEASE VISIT OUR PBS
WEBSITE AT

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