During a White House Black History Month event on Wednesday, President Trump honored the Rev. Jesse Jackson while showcasing praise from Black supporters and revisiting his record on race-related issues. The Black History Month event at the White House was held shortly after an outcry erupted over a video Trump shared on Truth Social depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. "Don't let anyone tell you that this president right here, Donald Trump ... is not for Black America, because he is," said Alice Johnson, his pardon czar, USA Today reports. "I'm standing here today as a testament ... to how he feels about Black Americans."
Trump did not mention the video or the Obamas at the gathering. "We celebrate Black History Month," he said. "We honor the memory of those who came before us by continuing their legacy." Trump called Jackson, who died Tuesday, "a real hero" and offered condolences, even as he described him as "a piece of work." He name-checked prominent Black Americans who support him, per the AP. Trump praised boxer Mike Tyson for defending him against accusations of racism and rapper Nicki Minaj, whose skin he described as "so beautiful" while commenting on how long her fingernails are. Trump highlighted his criminal justice legislation and funding for historically Black colleges.
He also cited the law he signed last year eliminating federal income taxes on tips and his deployment of National Guard troops "to bring back safety" in cities with large populations of Black residents as policies that have benefited Black Americans. Forlesia Cook, whose grandson was slain in Washington, praised Trump for the deployment. "I love him," Cook said. "I don't want to hear nothing you got to say about that racist stuff."
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