Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fla.) on Sunday pushed back against criticism that he was used as a “prop” while campaigning with former President Trump in the Bronx last week.
Donald, a prominent black Republican politician and former aide to the president, defended himself after MSNBC host Joy Reid said President Trump was using him as a tool.
“The black man that Republicans love to hold up as false evidence that black people are MAGA,” Reid said in footage aired on Fox News on Sunday, “This is a joke that has about as much credibility as when they said they were going to make the guy speaker of the House.”
“First of all, I think Joy’s comments are just empty speculation,” Donald said in an interview with Fox News Sunday’s Shannon Bream.
“You could also argue that MSNBC is taking advantage of her,” he added.
The crowd at Donald’s South Bronx rally was less racially and ethnically diverse than surrounding areas, the Associated Press reported, but added that there were still large numbers of black and Hispanic voters in the crowd.
“There was a very diverse crowd at the Bronx – Bronx people, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, black people, white people – all witnessing the devastation in New York City and supporting President Trump,” Donald said.
“They want Donald Trump back,” Donald added.
Donald described the November election as a choice between two presidents and said Americans would choose the one they believe has done a better job.
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