President Trump has ignited the black community, and liberals are in a full-court press trying to deny it.
According to one of the most reliable pollsters of the 2016 election — Rasmussen — President Trump’s black support has doubled from 2017 to an astounding 36 percent. Other polls show him hovering around 14 to 21 percent, which is still quite impressive when you consider that he enjoyed 8 percent black support during the 2016 election. Trump has bragging rights for fostering the lowest unemployment numbers for black people, the lowest poverty numbers for black people, a booming economy, millions freed from government assistance and an increase in black entrepreneurship.
Despite these encouraging numbers, almost every day in liberal media and celebrity comedy, Trump is portrayed as the most racist president in American history.
Some people may want to pass out at the thought of President Trump pulling off the first successful black exit from the Democratic Party, but it’s real and happening whether you like it or not. Anecdotally, social media users have increasingly reflected more black support, openly and privately. I recently received a message from a young black female who stated, “I have also left the Democratic Party but don’t speak up on it because of how others will criticize me, especially my family.”
One of my childhood friends expressed that she voted for a Republican — Ted Cruz, in his re-election to the Senate — for the first time this month My parents are slowly but surely turning the corner. I could go on for days describing messages and anecdotal experiences; black folks are crying out for a change and openly acknowledging support for the president and for Republicans.
People often and conveniently forget that black folks loved Trump before he ran for office. A quick Google search will reveal photos and song lyrics where Trump was regarded as a “boss.” People like In 1998 and 1999, Jesse Jackson loved Trump when he worked with Jackson’s PUSH Rainbow Coalition “to help offer a way to get African Americans into corporate America and Improve their communities through building projects and jobs.”
I won’t even go into detail recalling the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Trump received in 1986, which confirmed his reputation with words such as “patriotism” and “tolerance.”
While Trump has done a great job, he could improve in a few areas. The first is prison reform. If Trump does not get this right, there is no way he will leave a legacy of success in the black community. Due to failed liberal policies such as President Clinton’s 1994 crime bill, many black folks are disenfranchised from becoming productive citizens.
Secondly, Trump must support black conservative leaders to represent the Republican Party. Trump has done this to a degree: He provided unwavering support to Michigan Senate candidate John James, and he hosted 400 black leaders from around the country at my own Turning Point USA’s first Young Black Leadership Summit. The president’s team needs to identify qualified black political leaders and support them in local and federal elections.
Finally, Trump must show support for black grassroots movements such as “Blexit.” These movements foster safe environments for black conservatives to leave the Democratic Party.
President Trump has done a terrific job of shifting the black vote, but he has a long way to go. I see it happening, and I am confident that leaders such as Candace Owens and I, among others, will do our part to help the president wake up our brothers and sisters, drive them to success, and give them purpose and prosperity under this administration.
Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) is the director of urban engagement with Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit aimed at encouraging student civic engagement. He previously served as a police officer in Tucson.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of The Daily Caller.