Tuesday, May 20, 2025
By KEILE CAMPBELL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis faced backlash after questioning whether Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard had ever held a “real job” — comments some Bahamians interpreted as a slight against creatives and the country’s Orange Economy.
He hit back by contrasting his own record of investing in the creative sector with what he described as Mr Pintard’s lackluster tenure as the minister overseeing it, accusing him of doing little of substance.
“When I spoke last night, I said give credit where credit is due. Pintard has done well with his poetry and acting,” Mr Davis wrote in a Facebook post defending his comments yesterday — a shift in tone from the previous night when he mockingly referred to the opposition leader as “a parrot, not a poet”.
During a speech at a Progressive Liberal Party Men’s Branch meeting on Sunday, Mr Davis questioned Mr Pintard’s qualifications and track record.
“Michael Pintard is not a serious leader,” he said. “He is a seat warmer who answers to the same old forces that failed this country time and time again.
“What real job has he ever had? What has he ever built? What has he ever managed, outside of press conferences and political complaints?”
Yesterday, Mr Pintard defended his identity as a creator, casting himself as a relatable and empathetic leader.
“I am not your usual politician. I am not the lawyer that you have been used to. I am not the doctor you have been used to. I am trained as an agriculturalist. I studied anti-money laundering and compliance. I am a creator,” he said.
“When I see junkanooers, I say, that is me. When I see a player on the stage, I say, yeah, that is me. When I see a piece of art on the wall, I say, that is me. But the truth of the matter is, I am no less qualified than any of you that have ever ascended to this position.”
“The fundamental difference between me and those that lead now is that I feel the pain. I do not drive through a corner without wondering, how can we help?”
Mr Davis, however, accused Mr Pintard of neglecting the arts sector during his time as Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture in the Minnis administration.
“He barely met with the Dundas,” he said. “Even worse, ‘Pintard The Creative’ and his government, closed the National Dance School. Then he spent years criticising our new performing arts school, CAPAS.”
“We are also establishing CAPAS, the Creative & Performing Arts School of The Bahamas –– the same school Pintard now calls his idea. My office is working closely with the US Embassy to ensure Bahamian creators are fairly compensated for their work on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.”
Mr Davis ended his statement with a challenge: “Leadership requires more than performance. We are not just acknowledging the arts; we are building a future for them. Mr Pintard, show us your track record. What have you ever actually done?”
Comments
birdiestrachan says...
What did mr Pintard creat and where did he work
Posted 20 May 2025, noon Suggest removal
realfreethinker says...
Your boy created a criminal empire
Posted 20 May 2025, 12:59 p.m. Suggest removal
Sickened says...
Davis I find your comments to be disgusting and childish. Grow the hell up and act like a leader. You did well during your first 6 months. You spoke well on the international stage. However, you have become childish and your speeches are now an embarrassment.
Posted 20 May 2025, 2:10 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Davis has been a career CRIMINAL LAWYER.
He has represented most of the despicable notorious drug dealers & gangsters in this country.
It is alleged that he presently lives in one of his former clients upscale mansion out West.
How can the PM criticize Pintard???
They both have tons of skeletons in their closets.
This discourse just turns off 242 voters.
Posted 20 May 2025, 6:28 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
If the few remaining right minded and sensible Bahamians still living in the country do not soon take matters into their own hands and seize the reins of government one way or the other, all will be lost forevermore. That's the stark reality of the current situation.
The FNM and PLP parties are just two sides of the very same coin. Both of these political parties have been controlled for decades by a most corrupt ruling class of political elites who only care about satisfying their own personal greed and the greed of their corrupt cronies and financial-backers.
Posted 20 May 2025, 7:44 p.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
I do not disagree, however, these clowns have indebted The Bahamas with their odious loans which will never be repaid. The next few generations of Bahamians will pay dearly for the criminal activities of these two jokey parties.
Posted 20 May 2025, 8:51 p.m. Suggest removal
BONEFISH says...
A comment in poor taste by the Prime Minister. Outside of the Bahamas in the real world, some of the wealthiest persons are in the performing arts. An example of that is the late Michael Jackson.
Posted 20 May 2025, 7:45 p.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
Do you all know what Mr Pintard says about the Pm and others. He is no saint and no michael Jackson.
Posted 20 May 2025, 8:16 p.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
Remember his toggie and boggie staunt
Posted 20 May 2025, 8:18 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Let us think of two Presidents who were men who made a living in the performance arts.
Ronald Reagan of the USA
The present President of Ukraine
It is sad that lawyers look down on other professionals
Posted 20 May 2025, 8:25 p.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
Stunt. What are his contributions. ? Backlash. ? What about when he insults . WHAT CAN HE SAY THAT HE HAS DONE BESIDES LOOKING AT STUFF AND SAYING THAT IS HIM
I do not know. But he can defend his record.
Posted 20 May 2025, 8:30 p.m. Suggest removal
hrysippus says...
So just like Ronald Reagan then, or Arnold, or even Eisenhower, come to think on it.
Posted 21 May 2025, 9:28 a.m. Suggest removal
hrysippus says...
Also, since those OPM meetings are such an entertaining comedy show......
Posted 21 May 2025, 9:30 a.m. Suggest removal
Sickened says...
Maybe Davis is taking a swipe at Trump as a majority of his success came from a television series.
Posted 21 May 2025, 9:44 a.m. Suggest removal
screwedbahamian says...
This is a distraction, and the MEDIA fell for it HOOKLINE AND SINKER, the Grand Lucayan
political Rally did not yield the praise from the public that was expected, as the selected speakers all gave our PM praise verbalizing that he was the best thing since slice bread (election time near and they sounded desperate for a piece of the political pie).
The question is: after all these high-level discussions in Washington with the USA movers and shakers we still don't know the name of the High-level politician allegedly involved giving the clear and unobstructed approval to foreign cartels for a fee of $2,000,000.00 per shipment to transport Illegal drugs through the Bahamas facilities to the USA? to weed out CORRUPTION that has held our nation captive for far too long!
The Media is good at reporting the headlines but will not never ever seek the conclusions. It probably is just our passive way of life, No??
Posted 21 May 2025, 9:46 a.m. Suggest removal
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