In a stunning display of political contradiction and rhetorical recklessness, Prime Minister Philip Davis has once again doubled down on his disparagement of Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard, this time by belittling the legitimacy of Pintard’s career in the creative arts.

According to The Nassau Guardian article titled “On the Attack: PM Doubles Down on Pintard Criticisms,” the Prime Minister dismissed Pintard’s contributions as a poet and actor, questioning his readiness to lead the country based on what Davis portrayed as a lack of “real” work experience. “Pintard has done well with his poetry and acting,” Davis posted on social media, only to follow it with a condescending rhetorical jab: “But what has he done to help others?”

Davis didn’t stop there. He sneered, “What has he ever built? What has he ever managed, outside of press conferences and political complaints?” He went on to frame his own legal career as the only valid example of responsibility and leadership, claiming, “That’s a real job. That’s real responsibility.” Even more degrading was his attempt to recast Pintard not as a poet, but “a parrot… who repeats what powerful people want to hear.”

What is especially egregious about Davis’ remarks is that they stand in direct contradiction to the very economic vision he championed while in opposition. When crafting the platform for the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) “New Day” campaign, Davis himself heralded the Orange Economy — an initiative aimed at leveraging the cultural and creative sectors as a means to diversify the Bahamian economy. This included explicit commitments to support, fund, and grow the arts — the very sector in which Pintard has long worked.

In fact, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Orange Economy encompasses industries such as visual arts, music, film, publishing, and performing arts — all areas where Pintard has demonstrably contributed. The IDB and UNESCO have continuously emphasized the Orange Economy’s value, particularly for small island developing states like The Bahamas, where culture is not just a pastime but a viable, exportable economic asset.

So one must ask: Does Prime Minister Davis actually believe in the Orange Economy he once touted, or was it a hollow talking point designed to score temporary political favor? Because if he genuinely believed in the legitimacy of the creative industry, he would never attempt to discredit a Bahamian who has built a life within it. To do so is not only hypocritical — it is intellectually dishonest.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s assertion that his government provided the first-ever subvention to the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts is misleading. While it may be the first formalized annual subvention in recent years, it is well-documented that successive governments — including FNM administrations — have supported the Dundas and other cultural institutions through grants, partnerships, and in-kind assistance.  This is a matter of public record and has been acknowledged in cultural policy reports over the last two decades.

In reducing the value of creative work to little more than a footnote — while simultaneously using it as political ammunition — Prime Minister Davis has not only insulted Michael Pintard but also cast doubt on the worth of every Bahamian who earns a living through cultural expression. These are musicians, playwrights, filmmakers, designers, and other creatives who are told, through Davis’ comments, that their work is not “real.”

This descent into what Davis himself once condemned as “garbage juice politics” is disappointing. As Prime Minister, he is expected to set a higher standard — one grounded in coherence, respect, and an acknowledgment of the contributions of all Bahamians, regardless of profession.

If Davis no longer believes in the Orange Economy, he should say so plainly. But if he does, he cannot continue to deride its practitioners just to win a political skirmish. Leadership requires more than oratory and legal success; it requires consistency, vision, and — above all — respect for the people one claims to serve.

The question now is not whether Pintard had a “real job,” but whether Davis still has any real conviction.

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