Donald Trump, during his presidential campaigns and governance, has often claimed to have long worked “hand in hand” with Black communities. Here’s a brief review of his accomplishments and controversies in connection to this claim:
1. The First Step Act: As president, Trump passed the First Step Act, a bipartisan prison reform bill which created programs for job training and early-release opportunities.
2. Opportunity Zones: The Trump administration also created Opportunity Zones in his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities.
3. Employment: Trump often cited the low unemployment rate for Black Americans during his time in office.
However, there were several incidents that led to criticism of his relationship with the Black community:
1. Housing Discrimination Lawsuit: Early in his career, Trump and his father were sued by the Department of Justice for allegedly refusing to rent apartments to Black tenants, a charge they denied and settled without admitting guilt.
2. Central Park Five: Trump took out full-page ads in several newspapers calling for the death penalty for five Black and Hispanic teenagers accused of a brutal rape in Central Park. The boys were later proven innocent.
3. “Birther” Conspiracy: Trump was a prominent supporter of the “birther” movement which promoted a false conspiracy theory that the first Black president, Barack Obama, was not born in the United States.
4. Responses to Protests: Critics argue Trump’s reaction to the Black Lives Matter protests following the killings
Trump says he’s long worked ‘hand in hand’ with Black people. Let’s review.
Donald Trump, during his presidential campaigns and governance, has often claimed to have long worked “hand in hand” with Black communities. Here’s a brief review of his accomplishments and controversies in connection to this claim:
1. The First Step Act: As president, Trump passed the First Step Act, a bipartisan prison reform bill which created programs for job training and early-release opportunities.
2. Opportunity Zones: The Trump administration also created Opportunity Zones in his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities.
3. Employment: Trump often cited the low unemployment rate for Black Americans during his time in office.
However, there were several incidents that led to criticism of his relationship with the Black community:
1. Housing Discrimination Lawsuit: Early in his career, Trump and his father were sued by the Department of Justice for allegedly refusing to rent apartments to Black tenants, a charge they denied and settled without admitting guilt.
2. Central Park Five: Trump took out full-page ads in several newspapers calling for the death penalty for five Black and Hispanic teenagers accused of a brutal rape in Central Park. The boys were later proven innocent.
3. “Birther” Conspiracy: Trump was a prominent supporter of the “birther” movement which promoted a false conspiracy theory that the first Black president, Barack Obama, was not born in the United States.
4. Responses to Protests: Critics argue Trump’s reaction to the Black Lives Matter protests following the killings
