Donald Trump is reaching out to the black community in hopes of gaining some more votes come November.
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But while Trump’s visit shined a light on the nominee and Detroit – “Motown needs every spotlight it can get, even one whose glare is a reminder that someone who has never set foot in a black church could be inaugurated in January” – it underscored a far more troubling reality in politics.
CNN posted a video of the visit during which Trump said: “When I see wages falling, people out of work, I know the hardships this inflicts and I am determined to do something about it”.
‘I want to help you rebuild Detroit, make the city the economic envy of the world, ‘ he said to applause.
The protesters believe that Trump has “zero support” among black voters for a reason and that if he wants them to reconsider, visiting a black church once in a while won’t be enough. When the Republican presidential candidate addressed a mostly black audience for the first time, he left his usual bravado aside, and in contrast to his usual, rambling speeches, he read from his prepared remarks for all of 12 minutes.
Introducing Trump, Jackson noted with a chuckle: “This is the first African-American church he’s been in”. “Now it’s a little different from a Presbyterian church!”
Of his speech, Trump claimed that he “just wrote this the other day, knowing I’d be here – and I mean it from the heart”. Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, has tarred Trump as a bigot, and his support from the black community languishes in the single digits. Trump didn’t focus on issues specific to African-Americans, saying instead he was there to listen to the community.
Carson, who has been advising Trump’s campaign, told The Associated Press that the trip would serve as an opportunity for the GOP nominee to see the challenges residents face as he refines his policy plans.
Despite having a Jewish son-in-law, and his daughter Ivanka converting to Judaism, Trump has several high-profile anti-Semitic supporters including former Klu Klux Klan leader David Duke, who Trump eventually rebuked after originally claiming he had no idea who Duke was.
Outside, protesters representing a wide swath of ages and ethnic backgrounds chanted “Go home, Trump”, many expressing doubt that Mr. Trump cared about African-Americans.
“I fully understand that the African-American community has suffered from discrimination”, Trump said. “We talk past each other and do not talk to each other”.
Jackson, the pastor of Great Faith Ministries, reportedly described his presentation of the shawl as an anointing. Polls show Clinton with overwhelmingly more support from blacks and Hispanics.
After the service, Trump toured a Detroit neighborhood with former rival Doctor Ben Carson.
“What the hell have you got to lose?”
“Your house is worth a lot of money.” he told her, thanks to the Carson connection.
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Detroit is about 80% black, and many are struggling.
