Trump’s policies have uplifted Black families. Give him another term to finish the job
The message was clear when Joe Biden told Black voters in 2012 that Republicans intended to “put y’all back in chains,” and then later that if you didn’t vote for him, “you ain’t Black.”
Biden takes the Black vote for granted. It will cost him.
What started as reliable support from a community that has overwhelmingly voted Democrat for decades has now turned to desperation and pandering as Biden’s poll numbers continue to slip.
Democratic policies have left the Black community farther and farther behind: dismal education prospects, unsafe streets, aide open border, a disastrous economy, and fewer opportunities to achieve the American dream.
Rather than change course, Democrats just keep on pandering. It is not lost on Black folks that only within the last few weeks — when poll after poll shows Biden trailing — that Biden has finally decided to show up in the Black community. Are we only important when you need us?
Every day, there is another headline about Biden and the Democrats rethinking, relaunching or rebranding their Black voter outreach strategy. In reality, they are retreading one failed policy after another. Black voters see through it all.
And that is why a great Black voter realignment is well underway.
With Donald Trump at the helm of the Republican Party, our movement has made historic inroads with Black voters, particularly Black men. And in 2024, Republicans have a unique opportunity to press our advantage. But we must ask ourselves, will we wait for the realignment to happen, or will we press our case?
The answer could be the difference between winning and losing in 2024.
Republicans have a great case to make, thanks to Trump’s leadership. During Trump’s presidency, Republicans delivered on an agenda that lifted up all Americans, but especially Black families. Black unemployment fell, taxes were cut, investments were made in communities across the country, record funding was passed for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and choice in education became a reality for more Americans of all backgrounds.
The clearest example of where Democrats have dug their heels in at the expense of our children is on the issue of education. Democrats chant, “more funding for our failed public schools.” In other words, because you cannot afford other options, your kid gets the short end of the stick — sorry, not sorry. The result? Resegregation. Biden needs to wake up and acknowledge that parents’ vision and hopes for their children do not align with his.
And what about the Biden economy? Completely devastating for families. For single mothers like the one who raised me, double-digit inflation means tough decisions — gas in the car or food on the table. Rising interest rates have put homeownership out of reach. The truth is that liberal policy has depleted savings, strained retirement accounts and increased borrowing by millions of Americans. For all too many families, Bidenomics has become quicksand.
Finally, crime and public safety policy have left many of our communities in ruins. Open borders, left-wing district attorneys and big blue cities defunding and demoralizing law enforcement have led to destruction in our most vulnerable communities. Fentanyl, violent criminals and Biden’s soft-on-crime approach have made it tougher for communities to live in peace.
As if the Biden policy positions weren’t devastating enough on their own, Black folks are just downright offended. How dare you say we aren’t allowed to have different opinions from you — that if we step out of line, we “ain’t Black.”
Black voters are saying “No more.” Enough is enough. Our vote can no longer be taken for granted.
The Biden administration has made promises to the Black community that it never intended to keep, with the expectation that we will just continue to show up and vote out of loyalty.
We deserve better. It’s time for Republicans to make the case and earn the Black vote, not abuse it. Trump made major gains in good policy for our families. Let’s give him four more years to finish the job.
Tim Scott is the junior senator from South Carolina.
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