During his initial presidential campaign, Donald Trump posed a straightforward question to Black voters: “What do you have to lose by trying something new like Trump?”
This bold inquiry stirred up quite a reaction, with many on the left expressing their disbelief. He continued to emphasize issues facing Black communities, stating, “You live in poverty, your schools are not good, you have no jobs, 58% of your youth are unemployed – what do you have to lose?”
However, in 2016, this question didn’t resonate much with Black voters, and while Hillary Clinton ultimately lost, she did manage to secure the Black vote at a surprising 8%.
Fast forward to 2020, and Trump only made slight gains, garnering about 12% of Black voters despite efforts like his “platinum plan” aimed at appealing to them through various initiatives. Even with those attempts, he struggled to make significant inroads.
Yet, by 2024, there seemed to be a shift as an increased number of Black voters considered giving Trump another look, possibly influenced by economic concerns. Some felt that Democrats hadn’t taken these shift seriously enough. Moreover, Black America didn’t face a complete disaster during Trump’s first term, which perhaps played a part in this change.
Interestingly, Black unemployment rates reached record lows during that period, and the poverty rate also dipped to notable levels. But as frustration over Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic grew, inflation remained a significant issue.
Black Americans, already dealing with lower incomes and higher unemployment rates, bore the brunt of these economic challenges and looked for someone who could bring solutions.
What, then, did they have to lose? Unfortunately, Trump not only overlooked the struggles facing Black Americans upon taking office but exacerbated many problems.
Due to his economic policies and tariffs, unemployment began to rise again, particularly affecting Black workers who often find themselves last hired, first fired, leaving them vulnerable to economic instability.
In states like Michigan, for instance, the Black unemployment rate soared to 10%. It’s alarming; if these figures reflected the overall unemployment rates, they would be seen as a crisis.
When the nation encounters significant issues, Black Americans tend to be disproportionately affected. A recent study revealed that 61% of Americans feel worse off financially due to Trump’s economic strategies, pushing many into debt.
The figures are striking. About 41% of Americans reported dipping into savings to make ends meet, while in Black communities, this figure rose to 48%. Moreover, a notable 37% of Black Americans have turned to credit cards to pay their bills, as compared to 41% of the broader population.
Businesses are quick to capitalize on the need for immediate solutions, with “buy now, pay later” schemes becoming particularly popular among those with less than ideal credit scores. Julie Margueta Morgan, a representative from an organization, highlighted that around 60% of individuals using these schemes already have poor credit ratings, leading to increased debt.
This data points to an invisible financial crisis developing within households. For populations already facing challenges, the Trump economy represents a risk that many cannot afford.
Simultaneously, Trump’s policies have aimed to cut Medicaid significantly, with Black lives and livelihoods severely impacted—as nearly 20% of Medicaid enrollees are Black. This is compounded by cuts to food assistance, school funding, and student loan programs, which might have long-lasting effects on Black communities in terms of health, education, and wealth.
What we are observing now may just be the surface of a deeper challenge. It’s tough to predict how other policies might shape future job opportunities and the Black community at large.
Beyond this, Trump’s actions against diversity, equity, and inclusion are weakening anti-discrimination efforts across sectors. For instance, his administration has rolled back guidance aimed at preventing discriminatory practices in schools, thus potentially limiting opportunities for Black workers.
Current trends suggest that Black Americans are indeed suffering due to these policies, and the latest employment and inflation statistics do not offer much hope.
So when Trump asks Black America once more, “What do you have to lose?” the answer is clear.
Everything.
