Donald Trump courts controversy by referring to ‘my African American’ supporter at rally
The fallout comes amid growing uproar over Trump’s disparaging remarks about the Mexican American judge handling a pair of lawsuits over his defunct online university.
Donald Trump, who has faced repeated accusations of racism and xenophobia over race-tinged comments and inflammatory rhetoric, drew more criticism Friday after praising a black supporter as “my African American.”
“Oh, look at my African American over here. Look at him,” Trump said during a rally in California. “Are you the greatest?”
There was no obvious reaction from the crowd, and Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said the presumptive Republican White House nominee was “just referring to a supporter in the crowd. There’s no ill will intended, obviously.”
Trump was “grateful for this person’s support,” she added, speaking to CNN.
Oh, look at my African American over here. Look at him. Are you the greatest?
Hicks also rejected as “ridiculous” criticism that in using the possessive “my,” Trump was making a racist comment.