Obama accuses Tim Scott and Nikki Haley of being part of a 'long history' of Republicans who downplay racism

Former President Barack Obama voiced criticism of GOP presidential hopefuls Tim Scott and Nikki Haley, accusing them of being part of a "long history" of Black or minority Republicans downplaying racism.

Obama made the comments while speaking on CNN's "The Axe Files" podcast Thursday.

"I think there's a long history of African American or other minority candidates within the Republican Party who will validate Americans saying, ‘Everything’s great, and we can make it," Obama said.

"The rhetoric of, 'Can't we all get along,'" should be accompanied by an "honest accounting of our past and our present," Obama said.

As Axios points out, Scott responded to Obama's comments on Friday, saying, "The Left wants you to believe faith in America is a fraud and progress in our nation is a myth."

"The truth of MY life disproves the lies of the radical Left," Scott said.

Haley responded as well, saying, Obama "set minorities back by singling them out as victims instead of empowering them."