Summary of Main Actions:
- Economic Impact:
- Black unemployment hit a historic low (5.9%) in 2019 but spiked to 16.8% in May 2020 due to the pandemic.
- The Black poverty rate remained high (18.8%) despite overall economic gains.
- The Trump administration’s tightening of food stamp eligibility worsened economic hardships for Black Americans.
- “Opportunity Zones” primarily benefited wealthy investors rather than low-income Black communities.
- Pandemic Response:
- Black Americans, disproportionately working frontline jobs, faced higher exposure and mortality rates.
- 40% of Black-owned small businesses closed early in the pandemic.
- Black Americans were six times more likely than whites to be denied hospital treatment.
- Healthcare & Policy Changes:
- Trump’s efforts to weaken Obamacare led to 3 million more uninsured Americans, many of whom were Black.
- Black health insurance rates declined under Trump but hit a record low under Biden in 2022.
- Criminal Justice Reform:
- The First Step Act, a signature policy for prison reform, had little impact as Trump’s DOJ restricted early release applications.
- Voting Rights & Discrimination:
- Trump opposed renewing the Voting Rights Act and supported voting restrictions disproportionately affecting Black Americans.
- Advocated for eliminating mail-in voting and requiring voter ID, which many Black citizens lack.
- Racially Charged Statements & Actions:
- Continued to claim the Central Park Five were guilty despite exoneration.
- Promoted the false birther conspiracy against Barack Obama.
- Referred to African, Haitian, and Central American countries as “s—hole countries.”
- Suggested military force against George Floyd protesters, asking if they could be shot.
- Comparison to Biden Administration:
- Black unemployment, homeownership, and labor force participation improved under Biden.
- Inflation-adjusted wages for Black workers rose three times faster under Biden.
- Black health insurance rates improved under Biden.
The article challenges Trump’s claim of doing the most for Black Americans, highlighting policies and rhetoric that negatively impacted Black communities. Source: The Hill