The Republican presidential candidate told his audience at the Good Faith Ministries International church that he came to listen, and expressed sympathy for the out-of-work young men he had seen on the streets of the U.S. city famous as a symbol of economic and urban decline.
Advertisement
His latest trip comes amid criticism that Trump has yet to bring his message into black communities across America, after weeks of trying to appeal to black voters.
Donald Trump goes over notes as he attends a church service.
Nor did the businessman-turned-politician forget to mention the crisis in Detroit, a debt-ridden city since the General Motors bailout in 2009 and generally depressed since the automobile industry and manufacturing in general went into a tailspin in the 1990s.
But Duggan said Trump failed to give any details on how he would improve the lives of Americans. Introducing Trump, Jackson noted with a chuckle: “This is the first African-American church he’s been in”.
The reproduction of the story/photograph in any form will be liable for legal action.
‘But today, I’m here to listen, ‘ he said while reading from a hand-written message.
“Any time that we have somebody that wants to challenge the status quo, they are disruptive to society”, said Mr. Jones, who wore a Trump T-shirt and button.
“He’s coming up in here pretending that he is talking to the people of the city of Detroit”, she said.
Some civic and religious leaders have announced plans to protest Trump’s visit, including the Ecumenical Ministers Alliance which will lead a Saturday march to the church hosting Trump.
Trump understands very well, that Hillary Clinton has much more supporters from black American people than he has at the moment.
Some protesters tried to push through a barrier to the parking lot but were stopped by church security and police.
Trump’s scripted responses seek to strike a presidential tone, pledging to approach the office “with the utmost wisdom” and to “serve all Americans without regard to race, ethnicity or any other qualification”. “We must love each other and support each other, and we are all in this together”.
“He has made statements and his statements are that I want to make the black community better”, Jackson told CNN.
“I’m here today to learn”, said Trump.
Detroit native Ben Carson was in the congregation.
He has been wooing minorities by countering that Democratic policies have failed them and those “who want to see a better future” should back him in November. Black and African Americans constitute the third largest racial and ethnic group in the United States after the Whites and Hispanics.
Trump’s outreach to minorities over recent weeks comes as he seeks to improve his chances in the November 8 election and shake off months of offending the sensibilities of black and Hispanic voters with his hard line on immigration and rough-hewn social rhetoric.
Trump also praised the black church as the conscience of our country and said the nation needs a civil rights agenda of our time that includes the right to a quality education, safe neighborhoods and good jobs.
Advertisement
A crowd of a few hundred demonstrators criticized Trump’s visit, with some holding “Clinton-Kaine” signs and “No Hate In The White House” placards.
