Trump's attempt to woo black voters is failing worse than ever

In an effort to win reelection in 2020, Donald Trump and his campaign have made a strong push to win over black voters, a traditionally Democratic constituency.

In fact, Trump claimed in November 2019 that he would win reelection in 2020, thanks to “a groundswell of support from hardworking African American patriots.”

The Trump campaign has so far spent at least $1 million trying to court black voters in 2020, including on advertising in black-run newspapers and radio stations, according to Politico.

An organization run by Trump ally Darrell Scott, who co-chairs the reelection campaign’s Black Voices for Trump effort, held events in black communities that raffled off cash to attendees, advertising prizes as high as $25,000.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) — the only black Republican currently serving in the Senate — predicted Trump’s efforts would win over black voters and help Trump win reelection in November.

Sen. Scott said in February that Trump would win at least 12% of the black vote, calling it “game over” for Democrats if that were the case.

But an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released on Monday suggests that, despite the effort, Trump’s support among black voters doesn’t seem to have shifted since the 2016 election, when Trump got 8% of the black vote, according to exit poll data.

The poll found Trump winning 7% of the African American vote in 2020 against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who would get 85% of the African-American vote. That breakdown helps give Biden a 49% to 42% lead over Trump nationally, according to the survey.

The findings are in alignment with other recent polls. A Quinnipiac poll from earlier in April also showed that just 7% of Black voters would pick Trump if the election were held when the survey was taken, compared to 84% who said they would vote for Biden. An Economist/YouGov poll from early April again showed Trump earning just 7% of the Black vote, with Biden receiving 85%.

Just one poll in April, from Fox News, showed Trump gaining with Black voters, suggesting Trump would receive 10% of their support.

Trump has long attempted to win over black voters — despite making racist comments.

He tried to hire rapper 50 Cent for his inauguration but was turned down.

And in his 2020 State of the Union Address, Trump tried to make a push for black voters by talking about low African American unemployment, before the coronavirus economic downturn.

But so far, the polls suggest that all of his efforts are falling flat.

This story has been updated to include additional poll results.

A previous version of the story incorrectly stated the Trump campaign held raffles in black communities. The events were run by nonprofit group Urban Revitalization Coalition, which is led by prominent Trump all Darrell Scott.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.