Trump claims that his criminal indictments have increased his appeal to Black voters.

Former President Donald Trump, while campaigning in South Carolina on Friday, injected the issue of race into his campaign by drawing parallels between his legal battles and the injustices faced by Black Americans in the legal system. He claimed that Black voters would prefer him over his predecessor, Barack Obama, whom he referred to as the “Black president.” Addressing a predominantly Black audience, Trump falsely suggested that he enjoys popularity among African American voters, attributing it in part to his 91 criminal indictments and mug shot.

Speaking at an event sponsored by the Black Conservative Federation, where approximately two-thirds of the attendees were Black Americans and one-third were white, Trump remarked, “A lot of people said 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.” He expressed a theory that his legal troubles make him more relatable to Black voters.

At another point, Trump commented on the brightness of the lights, jokingly saying, “The lights are so bright in my eyes I can’t see too many people out there. But I can only see the Black ones. I can’t see any white ones. That’s how far I’ve come.”

In a dig at President Obama over the costs of a new Air Force One, Trump asked the crowd, “Would you rather have the Black president or the white president who got $1.7 billion off the price?”

Receiving cheers from the crowd, Trump added, “I think they want the white guy.”

His level of support among Black Americans has remained stagnant and is nearly identical to what he received in the 2020 election. Historically, Black voters have overwhelmingly favored Democratic candidates, with Joe Biden receiving 87% of the Black vote in 2020, according to the Roper Center.

Trump’s comments faced criticism from his primary opponent, Nikki Haley, who labeled them as “disgusting.” Former Congressman Cedric Richmond, co-chair of the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign, condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them insulting, moronic, and racist.

However, Diante Johnson, president of the Black Conservative Federation, defended Trump’s remarks, stating that their community supports Trump’s policies and believes life was better under his administration. Johnson asserted that Black voters will cast their ballots in November for safer streets, better financial well-being, a secure border, and a rejection of Joe Biden’s tenure.