As former President Trump surges in polls, Black voters in key battleground states voice concerns over the economy, foreign policy, and immigration, leading some to consider supporting Trump in the 2024 election.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, former President Donald Trump is gaining traction in key swing states, with recent polls showing him ahead of incumbent President Joe Biden. This has raised concerns among Democrats, particularly among Black voters, who played a crucial role in Biden's 2020 victory.
Interviews with Black voters by Fox News Digital reveal a growing dissatisfaction with Biden's performance. Frederick Westbrook, a retired Las Vegas hotel worker, said voting for Biden to oust Trump was "the biggest mistake of my life." Westbrook, who worked in the hospitality industry for 30 years, shared his concerns about rising inflation and the high cost of living, which he believes have worsened under Biden's administration.
Jaredd Johnson, a 25-year-old marketing professional in Atlanta, expressed similar sentiments. Johnson had hoped Biden would return the country to a pre-pandemic normalcy, but he doesn't believe that has happened. Despite his reservations about Trump, he plans to vote for the presumptive Republican nominee in November.
"I understand the importance of supporting Ukraine and Israel," Johnson said. "But conversations with my friends and family are suddenly less about what's happening overseas and more about how we are struggling here, too."
Christopher Sheffield, a 61-year-old counselor for veterans in Georgia, shared his concerns about foreign policy. While he acknowledged the importance of addressing global crises, he emphasized that domestic issues should take precedence.
"I'm an African American — of course I worry about racism," Sheffield said. "But when I look at him, he looks weak. With North Korea, Putin, and all those boys ready to act, I think they will be a little bit more reluctant to challenge Trump than they would with Biden."
Amelia Earwood, a 47-year-old safety trainer at the U.S. Postal Service in Georgia, expressed strong disapproval of Trump as a person. However, she said her vote would be based on policy, and she believes that "Trump could straighten this country out" in a way that Biden has failed to do.
Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwell believes the shift in sentiment among Black voters towards Trump is understandable.
"Black voters were browbeaten into voting for Biden in 2020 by the media and celebrity cultural figures... and Black folks now realize they have been bamboozled by the left and media," Caldwell said.
He added that Black voters feel economically worse off under Biden than they did under Trump.
Other concerns raised by Black voters include persistent inflation, illegal immigration, and Biden's decision to withhold arms shipments to Israel.
The Trump and Biden campaigns have not immediately responded to requests for comment.
With the 2024 election looming, the changing attitudes among Black voters could have significant implications for the outcome. As the economy and foreign policy remain key issues for many voters, it remains to be seen whether Biden can win back the support he has lost or if Trump will regain the trust of Black voters who have traditionally been a key Democratic constituency.
