Donald Trump's Comments On Black People Branded 'Racist' By ABC News President
By Favour Adegoke on February 28, 2024 at 5:15 PM EST
The president of ABC News, Kim Goodwin, recently condemned Donald Trump's remarks at the Black Conservative Federation event.
She expressed astonishment at his assertion of increased Black support due to his legal troubles. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also denounced Trump's comments as "self-serving" and "repugnant."
ABC News President Kim Godwin Calls Out Donald Trump For His Comment On Black People
According to reports, Godwin expressed shock at recent statements made by former president Donald Trump during his address to the Black Conservative Federation.
Godwin conveyed her astonishment at Trump's assertion that he has garnered increased support from Black voters due to his legal troubles, which include four indictments and a total of 91 criminal charges.
In a message to the ABC News staff on Tuesday, Godwin shared her disbelief at the presidential hopeful's comments, describing them "as racist as it gets."
The news executive emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "No matter one's politics, the fact that a person running for President of the United States made these remarks period – but also to a public crowd — and with so many black people present — and that they stand with him — is mind-blowing."
Donald Trump Says Black People Like Him Because Of His Indictments
Godwin's message joined the chorus of voices condemning Trump's remarks on the purported increase in Black support. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also denounced Trump's comments as not only "self-serving" but also "repugnant and divisive to traffic in stereotypes."
In his address to the Black Conservative Federation, Trump claimed that Black individuals empathize with his struggles against legal challenges, saying: "I got indicted a second time and a third time and a fourth time, and a lot of people said that that's why the Black people like me, because they have been hurt so badly and discriminated against, and they actually viewed me as I'm being discriminated against."
The 2024 hopeful went on to decry historical injustices perpetrated by corrupt systems aimed at oppressing marginalized groups. He posited, "Some of the greatest evils in our nation's history have come from corrupt systems that try to target and subjugate others to deny them their freedom and to deny them their rights."
"I think that's why the Black people are so much on my side now because they see what's happening to me happens to them," he added.
The Ex-President Boasts That Black Americans 'Embraced' His Infamous Mug Shot
Trump went on to claim that Black Americans have "embraced" his mug shot more enthusiastically than any other demographic. The striking photo of the ex-president was taken after his indictment on racketeering and related charges. It depicts him with a severe expression and furrowed brow.
The infamous photo was taken in August 2023 when Trump voluntarily surrendered at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia.
He remarked, "You see Black people walking around with my mug shot, you know, they do shirts, and they sell them for $19 a piece."
"It's pretty amazing — millions, by the way," he added.
The billionaire mogul's remarks came after a Fox News host implied that Black people would support Trump due to their alleged love for "sneakers."
The ex-president recently launched a line of gold sneakers at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, which cost $400 a pair.
Donald Trump Filed An Appeal Over His New York Fraud Trial
On Monday, the embattled ex-president's lawyers filed an appeal at the appellate court in New York to overturn Judge Arthur Engoron's decision to fine the former president an initial $355 million fine for inflating the value of his assets in financial documents.
Due to added interest, the fine has increased to nearly $454 million and will keep rising by $112,000 per day until Trump pays up.
According to reports, Trump's attorneys noted in the legal filing that they want the court to consider whether Engoron "committed errors of law and/or fact" and if he "acted in excess" of his powers as a judge in New York.
If the ruling is ultimately maintained, Trump's wealth is anticipated to plummet drastically since he may have to liquidate certain assets to cover the penalties. Nonetheless, there remains a chance for the case to be appealed further at the state's highest court, the Court of Appeal.
