Months after revealing evidence that…well, she’s not actually very Native American at all, Lizzie Warren has apparently come to regret publishing that embarrassing DNA test – so much so that she may even wind up apologizing for it.
To save her chance at a presidential run, of course.
According to a report from the New York Times Thursday, the Massachusetts senator and rumored 2020 presidential candidate is a little worried after her supposed “proof” of Native American ancestry backfired in a major way, and is reportedly concerned that her stunt alienated her from one of Democrats’ most coveted target voting demographics: racial minorities.
Advisers close to Ms. Warren say she has privately expressed concern that she may have damaged her relationships to Native American groups and her own standing with activists, particularly those who are racial minorities. Several outside advisers are even more worried: They say they believe a plan should be made to repair that damage, possibly including a strong statement of apology.
Shortly after publishing the results of the test, which showed she may be a whole 1/1,024th Native American (or Central or South American, we’re still not sure), Warren was criticized by multiple members of actual Native American tribes for boasting an ancestry and a subsequent cultural tie that really isn’t hers to claim. She also caught flak from those on the right who bashed her for falsely claiming Native American ethnicity on her Harvard employment application, as well as getting caught in the giant whopper that her father’s family discriminated against her mother for being part Cherokee (the lie detector test determined that was a lie).
Despite reported internal calls for her to apologize, Warren’s official public position remains the same old line – for now.
“There have been a lot of thoughtful conversations about this, and I appreciate that,” Ms. Warren said in an interview. “I believe for everyone in public life that transparency is crucial.”
Asked if the criticism of the test has inspired any regret, Ms. Warren said: “I put it out there. It’s on the internet for anybody to see. People can make of it what they will. I’m going to continue fighting on the issues that brought me to Washington.”