Troy Williams: Hoke County natives Diamond & Silk were in the left’s crosshairs

Troy Williams
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Supporters and fans of Ineitha “Diamond” Lynnette Hardaway and her sister, Herneitha “Silk” Rochelle Hardaway Richardson, prominently known as Diamond & Silk, are saddened to hear that half of the duo “Diamond” recently passed. Both sisters, who went by their middle names, were political commentators and Trump supporters.

The pair first joined Trump on stage at his Raleigh rally, “Stump for Trump Girls,” in December 2015. They also frequented national media, regularly appearing on Fox News shows, including "Hannity," "Fox News Sunday," "Watters' World," "The Ingraham Angle" and "Fox & Friends." They were also covered on ABC's "Nightline."

Troy Williams
Troy Williams

Diamond, a Hoke County resident, was notably the more talkative of the two. She was 51.

More:Hoke County’s Lynnette ‘Diamond’ Hardaway, of famous Diamond and Silk, dies at 51

Trump and many other conservative figures are offering condolences.

Former Hoke County Republican Party Chairman Ron Hartman said he met Diamond shortly after he moved to Hoke County around 2012. He remembers her pleasant personality and humble spirit.

More:Diamond and Silk: The five biggest lies about Trump’s handling of COVID-19 (so far)

Michael Hardin, the district attorney in Moore and Hoke Counties, said: “My condolences and prayers are with the family. Diamond and Silk made a profound statement in Hoke County when they publicly announced they had left the Democratic Party, citing far-left radicalism. They have set an example for all Americans tired of the same old politics to stand up and be heard.

More:Troy Williams: Politicians overemphasize race; the rest of us don’t have to

“Politics aside, this is an amazing American story of two ladies from humble Hoke County becoming internationally known personalities. Lynette ‘Diamond’ Hardaway will be greatly missed.”

Diamond and Silk’s conservative views put them in the left’s crosshairs, but they were prepared to take the heat. I saw them onstage once at a Trump rally in Fayetteville, and they stole the show. They were informational, and Diamond was highly entertaining. I’ve never witnessed anyone handle a large group like that before. She was sensational.

Ineitha "Diamond" Lynnette Hardaway was sometimes controversial but should be remembered mostly as compelling. We often hear the statement "gone too soon." And it seems like Diamond's death has caught us all off guard; but she made her mark and will not be soon forgotten.

Perhaps the book she authored with her sister, a nonfiction bestseller, accurately tells the story. “Uprising: Who the Hell Said You Can’t Ditch and Switch? – The Awakening of Diamond and Silk.”

Troy Williams is a member of The Fayetteville Observer Community Advisory Board. He is a legal analyst and criminal defense investigator. He can be reached at talk2troywilliams@yahoo.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Williams: Hoke County natives Diamond & Silk were in the left’s crosshairs