*In an alternate universe, Donald Trump would be black. But his opposition of President Barack Obama would remain intact.
At a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Trump gave voters a glimpse of that scenario as he detailed how he would view Obama if he were black.
“People don’t know I’m a unifier,” Trump told the crowd on Friday (Feb. 19). “You know, Barack Obama, African American. If I were African-American, I would be so angry at him.”
Black unemployment was among the issues Trump touched on in his speech as he pointed out that it has gone up under Obama’s watch, The Washington Post noted.
“African-American youth has an almost 60 percent unemployment rate,” the GOP presidential frontrunner said. “African-American people that are 25, prime-time age, 25-40, have such a high unemployment rate, you wouldn’t believe it. It’s gone up and it’s gotten worse since he’s been president.”
Although support for Trump among black people has been scarce, Trump touted his ability to be an asset. According to the real estate mogul, he would do more to help the African-American community than Obama, the first black president, has done.
“Now, he’s African-American,” Trump said. “If I were African-American, I wouldn’t like him very much. I will do more for the African-American people than Barack Obama has ever done.”
“I’ll do more in one year, I will do more for the African-American people in one year than Barack Obama has done in his seven year, soon to be eight years, and then, by the way, he’s out, and thank goodness,” he added.
As he continued his speech, Trump went on to suggest that a surprising number of Democrats would come ultimately switch and vote for him in a general election.
“By the way, we’re going to have a tremendous cross-over vote, you watch,” Trump said. “You know a poll just came out where I beat Hillary and Bernie very easily.”
“But you know what? We’re going to have a tremendous cross-over vote. People have no idea.”
So what say you? Does Trump have a point in making a case for black people being angry with Obama? Do you think Trump would do more for black people than Obama or is he way off the mark in his assessment of Obama’s time as president?
Weigh in below:
