Former President Donald Trump was bashed on social media Friday afternoon over his latest "Black jobs" rhetoric, which has been condemned as a racist tactic meant to appeal to his MAGA base.
Speaking to a crowd in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Friday afternoon, Trump slammed President Joe Biden's debate claim that the United States has seen job growth during his term, and repeated his own claim that migrants have taken “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs” from Americans.
"All of our new jobs have gone to illegal aliens," Trump said. "You know that?"
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He said his campaign is "doing well" with Black and Hispanic voters, as well as union voters. "Like record numbers!"
He took credit for criminal justice reform, saving historically Black colleges and universities, and "opportunity zones."
"That's largely gone to Black, Hispanic people, it's been great," he said.
Then he launched into what he called the "worst thing that's happening to Black No. 1, Hispanic No. 2, unions No. 3" — the "millions of people flooding into the country who are "taking their jobs."
"And they're taking the Black jobs. People that have had their jobs for a long time are losing their jobs. And Hispanic jobs, people that have had 'em for a long time are losing their jobs. And you know who else is the biggest loser is going to be the unions. The unions like the Teamsters."
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Users on X said they have had enough with the incendiary word choice.
"Trump just repeated his 'Black jobs' and 'Hispanic jobs' garbage again at his Virginia rally today," wrote @ArtCandee. "Enough of this man!!!!!"
"He's saying it all out loud," tweeted @AlbertKohl5. "This is who he is."
"Wonder if Tim Scott knows about 'black jobs,'" wrote @G3nX3r67.
"One could say maybe it was a racist Freudian slip the first time, but it’s clearly intentional- because he’s racist and that’s what racists do," wrote @MeSoOrnery1.
"Someone please ask Trump what a 'black job' is," said @JDCocchiarella.
Critics have said the former president’s debate performance was a racist appeal to his white conservative base. Among those critics: Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee.
“I’m still wondering, what is a ‘Black job,’” he quipped at a Friday news conference.
“There is no such thing as a Black job. That misinformed characterization is a denial of the ubiquity of Black talent. We are doctors, lawyers, school teachers, police officers and firefighters. The list goes on,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. “A ‘Black job’ is an American job. It’s concerning that a presidential candidate would seek to make a nonexistent distinction. But the divisive nature of this comment is not surprising for Donald Trump.”
