In Detroit, former President Donald Trump’s campaign launched a coalition group targeting Black voters in an effort to sway a historically Democratic-leaning demographic. Trump held a community roundtable at the 180 Church in Detroit, accompanied by Black Republicans Florida Rep. Byron Donalds and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson as part of the “Black Americans for Trump” group launch. Donalds and Carson are reportedly being considered as Trump’s running mate, with the former president praising Donalds as an “incredible guy” and suggesting he could be a potential vice president.
During the event, Trump engaged the crowd by asking if they would like to see Donalds as vice president, expressing his belief that Donalds would be a good choice. Recent polls have indicated that Black men are more open to supporting the Republican nominee in this year’s election, with Trump garnering over 20% of Black voters in battleground states in a recent survey, compared to roughly 1 in 10 nationally in 2020.
While President Joe Biden is expected to win Black voters by a large margin, Trump’s strategy to appeal to this demographic could potentially impact the outcome in key battleground states such as Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Trump’s outreach to Black voters contrasts with his past controversial comments about cities with significant Black populations, including describing a congressional district in Baltimore as a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.”
Trump has faced accusations of racism, but he has defended himself by citing his relationships with Black individuals who do not view him as racist. He also criticized Biden’s role in crafting the 1994 crime bill, accusing him of making derogatory remarks about Black individuals. Despite these attacks, Trump claimed to have done more for the Black population than any president since Abraham Lincoln.
Later, Trump spoke at a convention hosted by Turning Point Action in Detroit, where Carson praised his ability to engage with Black communities, emphasizing Trump’s non-traditional approach to politics. As Trump continues his efforts to court Black voters, the impact of his campaign on this demographic will be closely monitored as the election approaches.
