Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Ian Maule
Former President Donald Trump has sparked discussion with a unique approach to connect with Black voters. In a recent Fox News interview, Trump proposed visiting a Black barbershop for a haircut, suggesting that the barbers could make his hair “look better.” This comment is part of Trump’s broader strategy to engage with Black communities, particularly in cities like Chicago and Detroit, where he is intensifying his campaign efforts.
As per Mediaite, During the interview with Fox News host Lawrence Jones, who had recently visited a Black barbershop in Chicago, Trump expressed his admiration for the barbers and their work. “I am going to be doing that,” Trump said. “I like that guy, and I like those people in— I watched yesterday as you did it.
You are doing fantastically, by the way. I watched yesterday as you did the interviews. Those are great people. Those people just want safety. They don’t want much. He wants to run his barbershop. The people that were getting the haircut— I was thinking about maybe going there myself because…I like the work, maybe…they [can] make my hair look better. I’d pay a lot of money for that haircut.”
Trump continued, “But you know, honestly, those are great people…those are hardworking people. They’re strong. They’re tough. And they know they’re being conned by the Democrats. You have a corrupt political system in Chicago. Look at your governor— the governor is an incompetent guy. He was thrown out of the family business. He was— Hyatt Hotels. I was partners with them years ago in a job in New York.
They threw him out of the business. I know the family very well. They threw him out because they didn’t want him in the business…He has money. He ends up being governor. He’s incompetent.” Trump’s remarks, though seemingly offbeat, align with a strategic effort to reach out to Black voters, a group that has historically supported the Democratic Party.
His campaign’s outreach includes his appearance at the predominantly Black 180 Church in Detroit, where he launched the ‘Black Americans for Trump’ coalition, signaling a serious attempt to court this electorate, as noted by CNN. Further elaborating on his strategy, Trump said, “Look, the Chicago and the whole Illinois thing is very, very corrupt, but we’re putting a big play there…They’re really upset and I watched the mothers on your show this morning before we went on…so sad.
They’ve given up on life. You have the worst prosecutors. They go after guys like me…because I question the elections and things like that…Chicago, 20 years ago, was a great city. I built a great building in Chicago. In fact, I see it every time they do the skyline. But Chicago has gone really wrong, and I think I’m going to get a tremendous amount of votes from Chicago.” Trump’s unconventional methods reflect a broader strategy to win over a key demographic as he prepares for the upcoming election.
