Black Conservative Federation launches bus tour for Trump

One of the leading Black conservative organizations is launching a bus tour across battleground states in the hopes of mobilizing Black voters to cast their ballots for former President Trump.

The Black Conservative Federation announced Thursday its “Black Voters for Trump” bus tour. The tour will hit the road Friday and travel through the key swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina.

“We are thrilled to mobilize in these vital swing states and bring our America First message directly to the communities,” said Diante Johnson, president of the Black Conservative Federation. “The enthusiasm and energy among our supporters are at an all-time high, and we’re looking forward to connecting with fellow Americans in meaningful ways.”

The tour comes just more than two months before Election Day and with Vice President Harris holding a wide lead over Trump among Black voters. 

An August poll from Pew Research Center found that 77 percent of Black voters said they would vote for or lean toward Harris if the election were held today. Only 13 percent said the same of Trump.

Black voters are a crucial bloc for Democrats. In 2020, Trump won 12 percent of Black voters’ ballots, an increase from 8 percent in 2016. 

Members of Trump’s campaign have indicated they hope to earn 20 percent of Black voter support this year. Trump is particularly focused on earning the support of Black men, who have grown disillusioned with the Democratic Party in recent years.

The federation said the bus tour will emphasize the importance of voter registration and turnout to ensure “Black voices are heard loud and clear in the upcoming election.”

The tour will stop at local barbershops, restaurants and community centers in order to connect directly with voters. Each stop will feature a “special guest.” 

The federation said its mission is to ensure that policy is discussed, but also that the concerns and aspirations of the Black community are heard.

The federation has been a strong supporter of Trump since the former president announced his reelection campaign. Trump spoke at the group’s annual gala in February, though his remarks earned backlash from leading Black voices such as the NAACP and the Black Male Voter Project.