Watch: Dem senator squirms when reporter confronts him on membership at private ‘all-white wealthy club’

In Newport, Rhode Island, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and his wife have been members of Bailey's Beach Club, a private club with an all-White membership. Recently, a reporter for GoLocalProv in Providence asked the Rhode Island Democrat about the club's ongoing lack of diversity.

The reporter told Whitehouse, "Back in 2017, you had expressed concerns about the membership of the all-White Bailey's Beach Club, said that you hoped it would become more diverse…. Your wife is one of the largest shareholders. Has there been any traction in that? Are there any minority members of the club now?" And the senator responded, "I think the people who are running the place are still working on that. And I'm sorry it hasn't happened yet."

After answering, Whitehouse started to walk away — and the GoLocalProv reporter persisted, adding, "Do you have concerns in 2021? I mean, obviously, it's been four years. You had remarks on the (Senate) floor, following the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, saying you were hoping to root out systemic racism in the country. Your thoughts on an elite, all-White wealthy club, again, in this day and age — should these clubs continue to exist?"

Whitehouse, obviously growing more uncomfortable, replied, "It's a long tradition in Rhode Island, and there are many of them. And I think we just need to work our way through the issues. Thank you."