April Ryan says Tuesday’s election results should be viewed as the beginning of a larger fight, not the end of the work needed to protect democracy.
During her appearance on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the longtime White House correspondent discussed the historic wins for Black women, including Keisha Lance Bottoms becoming the first Black woman elected governor in the United States. Ryan also recognized Stacey Abrams for the work she did to increase voter participation and help create a path for future political victories in Georgia.
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Ryan said Abrams’ years of organizing and efforts to close the gap in Georgia elections should not be overlooked.
“We can never forget Stacey Abrams,” Ryan said. “She kept closing and closing the gap. And that’s what led the path for Keisha Lance Bottoms to be where she is today.”
She also described the election as a moment when voters made their frustrations known at the ballot box. Although President Donald Trump was not on the ballot, Ryan believes his policies and leadership were major factors in the results.
“This was a straight-up rebuke in his face,” she said, explaining that voters were expressing their dissatisfaction with the direction of the country.
But Ryan cautioned against celebrating too early. She told Rickey that there are still important steps ahead, including the selection of a new House speaker and making sure newly elected lawmakers are officially seated in January.
She emphasized that voters must stay informed and involved rather than assume the election results mean the work is finished.
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Ryan also spoke about the challenges journalists face when covering the Trump administration. She said retaliation against members of the press has been especially severe, with some reporters receiving death threats. She believes the treatment of journalists is part of a larger effort to discourage the public from receiving information about government decisions.
“When he goes after the Black reporters especially, he feels like, how dare they even ask me a question?” Ryan said.
The conversation also gave Ryan an opportunity to discuss her latest book, Notes on a Blacklash, which explores the experiences of Black women who face criticism and professional consequences for being authentic and speaking out.
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She pointed to public figures such as New York Attorney General Letitia James and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph as examples of Black women who have faced backlash while standing firm in their work and beliefs. Ryan also discussed the impact of job losses among Black women, saying the consequences reach far beyond individual careers.
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The book explores Black women’s contributions, their progress and the resistance they continue to encounter.
Listeners can find Notes on a Blacklash wherever books are sold. Ryan also hosts The Tea with April Ryan on Substack and The April Ryan Show on YouTube. She can be followed on Instagram and TikTok at @adr1600.
Throughout the conversation, Ryan’s message remained consistent: Tuesday’s victories matter, but staying engaged and holding leaders accountable will be just as important in the days ahead.
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