Key Takeaways:
– Kwame Kilpatrick, the disgraced former mayor of Detroit, is now appearing as a leader for the group ‘Black Men for Trump’.
– Despite his criminal record and involvement in the city’s financial crisis, Kilpatrick was recently released from prison – a sentence commuted by Donald Trump.
– Criticism arises over the racial diversity and representation in Trump’s administration and appointment choices.
From Disgraced Mayor to Trump Supporter
Kwame Kilpatrick once ran Detroit as its mayor. He also ran it into the ground with his rampant criminal activities. Kilpatrick’s crimes were so profound that they have been considered a significant factor in Detroit’s downfall into bankruptcy. After being convicted of 24 federal crimes, including fraud and racketeering, Kilpatrick began his 28-year sentence in 2013.
Fast forward to 2021, and the tale takes an unexpected turn. The disgraced mayor, whose actions led to colossal harm to the city’s finances and trust, has now taken on a new role. Thanks to Donald Trump who commuted his sentence, Kilpatrick now finds himself serving as a leader for a group known as ‘Black Men for Trump’.
Evaluating Black Men for Trump
“Black Americans are not a monolith, and we don’t owe our votes to any candidate just because they look like us,” the group declared. The phrase proposes a sound principle, but the group’s basis crumbles under its leader’s weighty record. A catalog of crimes attributed to Kilpatrick includes accepting almost $10 million in kickbacks from city contracts awarded to a friend.
Questionable Figureheads and Decisions
This challenge isn’t limited to Kilpatrick alone; other figures associated with Trump are also causing controversy. One notable example is Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), who controversially claimed Black people had a better life under the segregationist Jim Crow laws. These instances are making more people question the true intentions of Trump’s vocal supporters.
At an event in Nevada, Trump confidently announced to the crowd his love for Black men, stirring up debate. Critics argue that this claim suffers credibility due to his behavior towards Black individuals and communities.
Contradictions in Trump’s Track Record
Though Trump shows admiration for Black athletes and entertainers, his actions suggest otherwise when it comes to regular citizens and immigrant communities. Critics highlight Trump’s attitude towards Haitian immigrants and the Exonerated 5, a group of Black and brown children falsely accused of a brutal crime in Central Park.
These actions, coupled with the lack of ethnic diversity in executive roles in his companies, create skepticism about Trump’s proclaimed love for Black men.
Policy Versus Rhetoric
Trump was criticized for targeting cities like Detroit in his statements. Critics argue that instead of promoting uplifting policies, he used rhetoric aimed at securing his election. His campaign and term often saw him offending Black communities with racially-charged tropes.
A Racial Disparity in Trump’s Office
Remembering that actions speak louder than words, scrutinizing Trump’s decisions during his term as president reveals a distinct trend. Out of 226 federal judges appointed by Trump, 189 were white, and only nine were Black. This is the lowest number of Black judges appointed since Reagan’s time.
An apparent lack of interest in ameliorating the lives of Black people is seen in Trump’s administration choices. From choosing a reality TV show villain to lead diversity efforts to being sued by the Justice Department for refusing to rent apartments to Black people in the 1970s, Trump’s actions speak more about his relationship with Black communities than his words.
As the group ‘Black Men for Trump’ moves forward under Kilpatrick’s leadership, critics question whether this behavior is acceptable to its advisors. If so, it may unveil the type of Black men that Trump is fond of having around.