Why Cornel West Is Broke

Cornel West is a philanthropist, political activist, actor, and author. His most notable works are 'Race Matters' published in 1993, and 'Democracy Matters' published in 2004. West has been a public critic on many social issues and matters dealing with race, politics, and democratic socialism.
Currently, West is a third party candidate in the 2024 presidential election. After declaring his run with the People's Party in June 2023, he shortly soon after switched to the Green Party. In October 2023, he announced he was again switching his affiliation, and is running as an independent candidate.
Forbes reporter Zach Everson speaks to Assistant Managing Editor Ali Jackson-Jolley about his report on presidential candidate Cornel West's finances.
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[@whyugotnocase]

This type of “reporting” is creepy as F

[@VtheMartian]

Absolutely

[@UnbeknownToHis]

Right😂

[@lwilly1269]

DR Cornel West a warrior that i will rock with forever as an AMERICAN DESCENDANT of SLAVERY. HISTORY MATTERS! 2024POTUS

[@Rizz779]

💯

[@bustercam199]

"He is worth about nothing". lol, The beauty of this is he is in line with the average net worth of a Black American and running for President.

[@UlrichW-mm8yz]

No, he is not. Most blacks still live in the south, it is much cheaper to live there than where this guy usually lives. They get far more for their buck in the south...most blacks are not poor, they are disproportionately poor--two different statements. And, most of us aren't well-off, either.

[@leewinslett2592]

he’s worth just about as much as the average American, black or white

[@justmyopinion9883]

I’m not concerned about his personal wealth. I am more concerned about his ability to be President.

[@grammaticalchainsaw7318]

⁠@@UlrichW-mm8yzthat completely was redundant.

[@grammaticalchainsaw7318]

@@justmyopinion9883absolutely

[@l.wilson3484]

“When someone is running for President, character matters” Uhhhh, are you sure about that???

[@PaulLivingstoneRagaJazz]

@UlrichW-mm8yz

[@user-ev4jf2cm5r]

You raise a valid point: how many heinous acts have private and public US presidents committed throughout American history, and I do not hear anyone denouncing them? The world's most hypocritical country is America.❤️❤️❤️🎉🎉 🇬🇾 🇬🇾

[@sarcasticnews1195]

Thank you.

[@lorantmena6373]

Interesting man has my vote regardless, Dr. West is a intellectual giant

[@SFO195]

Only 3rd party candidate who has a chance to win is RFK Jr, cornel west is polling at 1% on his best days and wont even be on enough ballots to win.

[@Highvibethings]

A very irresponsible intellectual giant. Goes to show that your intellect can only take you but so far.

[@Rizz779]

💯

[@jackcslewis2009]

Man this poor woman sure has trouble formulating a concise and coherent question.

[@whosays1977]

He has my vote whether he's on the ballot or as a write-in candidate. Neoliberal and liberal Vote Blue No Matter Who cult members can seethe on that. 😏

[@angelowierd1702]

Give him one presidential term and then he’s debt free and will be a millionaire

[@user-of4rv5dj2h]

HE BROKE BECAUSE HE AINT CAMPAGNING FOR AIPA LIKE THE USUAL CANDIDTES...VOTERS HARD TO LEARN FROM PASSED MISTAKES

[@justmyopinion9883]

I still plan to vote for Dr Cornel West. He is the most compassionate, intelligent and kind hearted. ❤😊

[@jackcslewis2009]

That'll be hard, he would have to be on ballots... and he kind of gave up on that.

[@justmyopinion9883]

@@jackcslewis2009 I’ll write his name in. 😊

[@PerseusManchild]

Compassionate but competent? If he can't handle his money or intimate relationships well then he probably would not be a good executive manager for our country.

[@justmyopinion9883]

@02:20 he said Cornel West is worth about nothing financially. LOL. Good to know he has a lot in common with the rest of us. 😊

[@casey4602]

@@justmyopinion9883your logic is kinda like wanting to have a chain smoking obese cardiologist.

[@poerava]

The question is, how is it even a question that America is choosing between someone with a few divorces and missed taxes and a grapist, criminal and liar.

[@JuVi516]

Forbes sounding like TMZ with this post

[@sandrafernandeserickson3775]

Dr. Wets is the very best candidate US ever had--now I am more sure than ever! May Truth Love & Justice get to Americans' heart & win

[@coachhbosoccer]

West isnt bad with money. He just didnt give a damn. Everyone has their vices.

[@abdulazizalzut8963]

Fun fact, Cornel West is the first member of his family to walk upright.

[@guysovereign]

Everyone cares about money. It's human nature. But some people are responsible with their funds while others are not.

[@coachhbosoccer]

@@guysovereign I just Think about professional athletes that are broke 5 years after retiring. The reason is they don't care to handle finances responsibly since they in demand. They Likethe money. But The notion here isn't different because C West is a Professor .

[@guysovereign]

@@coachhbosoccer A fool and his money are soon parted.

[@edthewave]

He's broke because he's an academic, not a politician or businessperson. I'm not saying that's good or bad, but it's self-evident. It's like asking why marathon runners aren't jacked like bodybuilders - because their exercise and diet don't lead to getting jacked. Cornel West doesn't live a lifestyle that allows for accumulation of much financial wealth.

[@bustercam199]

I'm astonished his house is only in the 200K range in Princeton New Jersey. What is the housing market like there? It's hard to get a barn for that price these days.

[@IAmMrJonny]

"part of" his share of the house is 200k.

[@MarcEricLaneGlobal]

First year adjunct professors catching strays out here for some reason

[@iblamesummers]

they make more than the Poverty Level, LOL. i guess they meant 1st year adjunct that have to live in NYC & teach...

[@Highvibethings]

​@@iblamesummers lol! Weak!

[@rosslaverdure]

My thoughts exactly. At least they're recognizing how messed up the pay is for adjuncts

[@fun1111]

Fiscally and socially irresponsible in short

[@sojrnrr8368]

Suddenly a "black" man matters? Yeah right forbes. You can throw as much shade as you like but West is clearly a threat to corporate grift.

[@tylerdurden7142]

The people aren't entitled to this information from a man running to be their president?

[@roc7880]

why iw Forbes interested in a private person finances?

[@Ainttrippin]

He is a presidential candidate

[@sacamain0]

They fear him

[@Highvibethings]

Oh, by no measure is he a private person. Especially considering that he's running for president.

[@casey4602]

Because Cornell West owes 1/2 million is back taxes and child support. Anyone in debt wouldn't be able to get a clearance for national security or law enforcement.

[@mjogie]

We see what you’re doing. People’s President

[@michieone]

He is not the 1%

[@Tim_Black]

Petty. Pointless. Nice try Opps, but it won’t change anything.

[@Superlongevityinstitute]

This is ridiculous right? Forbes is out of bounds.

[@TheeStrawberryLee]

I love how this brilliant man’s intellect is being questioned here on Forbes. Are we questioning others who haven’t went to TWO Ivy Leagues??? 🙄 that’s what we call a hater.

[@markuswx1322]

At what point was his intellect questioned? Right around 1:53 his brilliant academic record was discussed. The rest of the interview is about his lifestyle, multiple divorces and failing to withhold taxes on his book royalties and speaking fees. I see no evidence the financial expert is a hater. He made the point that a lot of talented people end up in the same boat for their profligacy. All too true I’m afraid, and Brother West is no exception.

[@guysovereign]

His morals and ethics are questioned, not his intellect.

[@TheNBCI]

Here is how the power broker attacks you!!

[@BlessedOne686]

I’m disappointed that such an influential leader in our community has made these decisions. He’s not a victim; if anything, he is the transgressor.

[@Highvibethings]

Word. To know better and not do better is a sin.

[@jumpropexpressions8929]

How can he be broke, he wears the same clothes everyday.

[@theotherview1716]

😂

[@mrc5425]

And he wants to be President? I don't ever see that happening in his lifetime.

[@nursemcfarlane6655]

They said the same about Obama.

[@mrc5425]

@@nursemcfarlane6655West cannot, and will not ever be in the same league as Obama. The only thing they have in common is both would be a lot of fun to have a couple drinks with.

[@nursemcfarlane6655]

@@mrc5425 Mr. West is a scholar. He is not running against Obama.

[@mrc5425]

@@nursemcfarlane6655 Whew! Would you please seek some help for hearing things nobody else hears. Who said West is running against Obama?

[@nursemcfarlane6655]

@@mrc5425 You stated Mr. West is not in the "same league" as Mr. Obama. My point is they are both high level intellects and very articulate.

[@user-wr4yl7tx3w]

one thing for sure, claudine gay don't have to worry about paycheck, $900k!, even after exposed as a serial cheater. talk about privilege!

[@mariecampbell3373]

Even a highly intelligent man can make mistakes 🙄

[@Highvibethings]

See King Solomon.

[@nursemcfarlane6655]

I heard Mr. West say "I am broke as a ten commandment."

[@GirmaKassa-ip7ht]

Five divorces kills anyone but from the report he enjoyed his life. Good for him

[@womanspeakout574]

ONE PERSON COMMENTED MARRIED FIVE TIMES

[@alejoccsvzla]

I dont like any downfall comments, but talking about money, the audio quality of this podcast is dreadful. Investment on someone to oversee the content quality would be worth it. There are plenty of Audio engineers in the US that will welcome a well deserve income. On the subject of being broke, dont cut corners.

[@B-Eazy_DatDude]

Hit piece that no one asked for.

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

I’m here for it 😂

[@iblamesummers]

i can see him somehow weaseling himself out of this with academic, post-modern verbiage.

[@ivainyamutsamba8540]

Huh🤔

[@MAFEREFUN]

If "Character Matters" U.S.A would never have President...😅

[@gbru]

The fact that Cornell West gave up all his scratch in a divorce because he insisted on holding on to the album collection makes me more excited about voting for him.

[@marsh59]

He said he “gotta have his John Coltrane”

[@goodbrother1000]

So What?!?! He is still one of the greatest human beings in all of America.

[@narjess6040]

Because he’s NOT A SELL OUT

[@leewinslett2592]

Interesting information. also interesting that Dr. West gets this much coverage around his personal finances when there is lots of other equally interesting aspects of his canidacy that could also be reported on, even from a financial perspective.

[@adventurousloner]

Aww, I thought the good PhD was evading taxes or sumn...

[@leerhodes6192]

Keep Coretta leg in Boston ✌️

[@meshzzizk]

?

[@pamelahays-lx1to]

If the allegations are true, regarding, Dr. West, he will not get my Vote for President. Sounds like he may need to address his personal problems & pursue more stability. This report is troubling and sad to hear. I do wish him well, however. -------- Psalm 23.

[@osirisosiris1439]

I will vote for him

[@user-8k8kk8kk8k]

WHO CARES ABOUT HIS FINANCES? IF HE'S THE ANSWER TO GETTING THIS COUNTRY FIXED THEN HE SHOULD BE VOTED IN AS PRESIDENT!!!!

[@belmounlv1]

Zack works for ADL

[@havemercy8261]

Why this bother you? Why would you care? We are woke.

[@joanisehughes8843]

DrCornelWestFor2024Presidency!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@mrlondon1278]

Cornel West is knowledgeable but it seems like he has no wisdom.

[@naomixx177]

You lost your credibility. Nobody cares about what you say. We are getting behind this man.

[@SoraTheory]

First time I have seen fforbes do this they scared a real black man they ain't pick is a threat lol then why make this lolp

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

Oh yeah, they are shaking in their boots about a guy that likely won’t even make two ballots; whose supporters can’t string 3 English words together coherently.

[@francishall9410]

Is English your third language? Your statement is incoherent.

[@coachhbosoccer]

so basically this is about putting all his business out there. Fair enough but this isnt just about his finances

[@MAdams-ey4if]

half a million a year, daaaaammn, that's all the Brutha made all this time! Cornel and Doug MacGregor would be a game changer for an America in Decline.

[@oco987]

He’s a hot mess

[@latoshabatiste6423]

There isn’t a lot of public intellectuals

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

This guy ain’t one either

[@iblamesummers]

not now. a lot of them died...

[@bredsticc3331]

@@KahlessTheUnforgettableintellectual conversations with people is his whole thing so how do you think he isn’t one? Whether you agree or disagree with him, he is categorically a public intellectual

[@Superlongevityinstitute]

I’m voting for him if he gets on the ballot.

[@HeywardSanders-dy8vi]

Brother man I have a lot of respect for you, but I myself believe your power is on the outside, not the inside. Which I see others who have no understanding about leadership jumping into all kinds of positions on the outside you are leaving from. Who knows nothing about what they are doing, who allows their ego to lead the way. You need to stay on the outside to have serious control of the range like King, and Malcolm did, along with Marcus Garvey, and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Because this new group is so off track, they all came from the totally unconscious generation. Who set around in college learning everything, but acting like they don't know a damn thing. No matter how one looks at it, from whatever level they are playing in. Their minds are totally messed up, from helping the system to take on a negative way, which is opposite then the past, when people limited themselves in the things the system wanted them to play. Some say it's the changing times, but what changed so much to allow the bottom to drop all the way out from real reality that we see everyday. The truth is still here, and people are still trying to do what the past generation tried to do, but in a water down way. All I see that time just exposed a more water down life, from the life of serious times that many committed themselves to be. The perverts break down the mentality, and the people adjust to another way to play. As time moved on the system trained the people to see things only that way, which weakened the conversation to be a popular faking thing, that was so easy to be because it was where their mentality came to be. Had help the Internet get strong, with the network systems jumped in doing all kinds of wrong, and the rating flow like a rocket shooting to the sky. Where the new toy became more important than holding down the principles to keep rules in the game. Now we see crazy talk with crazy threats, that a few go out to execute them. That it gets stronger each day as we allow the poison to have a say. That being safe is not one of those things anymore, everyone staying alert to what might come their way just for being in the right place at the wrong time. That stays on our minds.

[@peterbrown3944]

???

[@redwine65]

the social gospel is legalism..which includes adultery...sola gratia

[@leerhodes6192]

Oak park Sacramento

[@yeshua64]

West is hood af.

[@mariecampbell3373]

😂😅🤸

[@protestssopeacefulweneedad2017]

So "hood" he wears a suit and tie while "keeping it real" in the prestigious halls of his academic safe space 😂

[@iblamesummers]

who shot 'ya?

[@Superlongevityinstitute]

No he is not hood.

[@TheFergarfergar]

hi I am here to devaluate men that are not living according to my sociopathic capitalist predator way of life, all while smiling cynically

[@dianne8340]

College professors don't make any money. At least Dr. West believes in paying the tab for a night out on the town. It's great to know that some men like to wine and dine without expecting a woman to go dutch.

[@Superlongevityinstitute]

Yea because your cheap

[@dianne8340]

@@Superlongevityinstitute If I'm cheap, then you are dumb. LOL! You need to know when to use you're and your. These are two completely different words. Your insult falls flat. You're goofy. You don't know me and you fail to understand when a person is making a sarcastic comment.

[@Ahmedhelps]

Equal pay, equal rights, but pay for me when you take me out 😆

[@Superlongevityinstitute]

@@dianne8340 aww you mad . Little broke girl.

[@guysovereign]

But he expects the women to raise his children by themselves?

[@leerhodes6192]

Plastic cost too moch 👀

[@John_Smith777]

lmao 😂

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Oh, so this is a hit piece? Got it.

[@poerava]

Cornel might take the presidency. America need some redemption of their soul.

[@tidalfriction5301]

A home in Princeton wort $200,000!? It doesn't sound accurate. Housing must be cheaper in Princeton than the rest of NJ from what you're saying.

[@Superlongevityinstitute]

Dr Cornel West for president

[@thatfirstone]

An issue is, men who have no business getting married in the western world, are getting married. Marriage is not for everybody, and certainly not in the western world, where most women are not fit to be long-term wives.

[@leerhodes6192]

Who is the USSR ?

[@szymborska]

Military Industrial Complex is out to attack- but nothing you do will give us another 4 years of elder abuse with the blue team. Ya'll lost. Bad.

[@langstonmorrison1850]

Also, if you know Dr. Cornel West he just doesn't care about having money.

[@JaceTheMc]

Forbes just ruined my man's campaign hopes without even trying...

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

Get a new man 😂

[@grizzlycharizard0017]

​@@KahlessTheUnforgettable Stfu, because you guys would vote for people who are in debt of millions of dollars.

[@belgainwafflehead5686]

In what way? Everything they’ve said here is public knowledge and has been for years. His financial and marital situation is not a unique story. It’s disappointing sure but he’s still far and away my first choice for President in this election cycle.

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

@@belgainwafflehead5686 Yeah, well; you are totally allowed to throw your vote away.

[@Ainttrippin]

The man is a visionary.

[@leerhodes6192]

Keep Alaska dammit

[@leerhodes6192]

Keep sugar cane please 💙👠💙

[@Superlongevityinstitute]

Forbes is not right for this

[@AlyviaAshley]

gee this isn’t pointed at all. yes I’m well aware this is public knowledge.

[@homodeus8713]

Who cares about his bank balance. He should have enough to live on.

[@NickYankee]

Cornel West is a narcissist. That's all. Money and material wealth is often very important to narcissists. West is no different. He talks a big game, but at the end of the day, it's not an accident.

[@leerhodes6192]

Keep bent pipe

[@leerhodes6192]

I like nina also

[@unicornsquad923]

He is a common American living a black American life

[@thomasclifton3051]

GOT ONE ON TRUMPS.......FORBES.........EXACTLY

[@dan8910100]

Borrow some from Bernie, he rich.

[@leerhodes6192]

Lead gas mandate

[@abdulazizalzut8963]

Cornel West wrote books but nobody bought them and most of his supporters can't read

[@kract76]

Speak for yourself

[@bloatedtreeful]

West has always claimed to be a socialist yet he doesn’t even know how to do that right, regularly ignoring the two inviolable principles of the Party: 1) He makes very good money in the free market as a public speaker and 2) he actively fails to pay taxes. And he tries to explain it away by saying he’s “bad with money.” That’s like an MD saying he doesn’t know how to read a thermometer. I suppose next I’ll learn he owns his own home!

[@blazayblazay8888]

YOU HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT SOCIALISM 😆

[@bloatedtreeful]

@@blazayblazay8888 Educate me!

[@yeshua64]

At least he worked for his money, unlike Papa Marx.

[@bloatedtreeful]

@@yeshua64 Agreed. Getting paid well for doing good work, Cornel’s a poster boy for capitalism!

[@latoshabatiste6423]

Character does matter

[@ContrarianExpatriate]

Never liked West and I like him even less after learning he is a financial nitwit.

[@TheSchuyler75]

Biden or Kennedy I can’t decide. I like Biden but things are so personal the attacks between maga and the DNC most americans are disgusted . we want a new direction and Kennedy is younger and more in touch with regular people and nobody’s perfect but with Kennedy I can see a way forward that doesn’t involve violence and maybe republicans and democrats can speak to each other pleasantly again. If Kennedy had Marianne Williamson or Dean Phillips as their running mates he would be reaching the right and left and we could maybe stop these wars idk i live in hope. democratic policies are better but the personal lives of politicians have become everybody’s focus and frankly it’s embarrassing as a nation all this calling the wives whores and calling gay people groomers and pedi files it’s all disgusting nobody wants to talk about all this salacious scandals anymore

[@sojrnrr8368]

you like blank check jen 0 side?

[@TheSchuyler75]

West should have just supported Biden. He’s getting no defense from me or support from me. He should have listened to Bernie

[@sacamain0]

You're not seriously expecting biden to get re-elected?

[@angelowierd1702]

No, Biden should have supported Cornel, he is obviously better fit to run a country.

[@aseyoga]

Never been a fan. He always seems like an arrogant, hypocritical race hustler.

[@jowpro]

West has a few good ideas and is bright, but he a goofy political loudmouth. He should stick to teaching and research.

[@BigBrotherBoohooTube]

Cornell who?

[@leerhodes6192]

Keep bent pipe