United States representative James Clyburn has expressed concern over the possibility of Black men either voting for former US President Donald Trump or sitting out the upcoming election, raising alarms within the Democratic Party.
“I am concerned about Black men staying home or voting for Trump,” Clyburn said during an appearance on CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ on Sunday.Despite his concerns, the congressman said it wouldn’t affect his enthusiasm for the campaign, as reported by the Hill.
Clyburn’s comments follow former President Barack Obama‘s recent call to action aimed at Black men, amid signs of declining support for vice president Kamala Harris among the demographic. Speaking in Pennsylvania, Obama addressed the issue directly: “You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses… part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president.”
Recent polling has shown Trump gaining support among Black men, a trend worrying to some Democrats. Clyburn, who has been campaigning for Harris in Michigan, reported having “very frank and direct discussions” with Black leaders in the state, noting their desire to understand what a Harris administration would offer.
Senator Raphael Warnock, however, downplayed concerns during the same programme, dismissing the notion that Black men would vote for Trump in large numbers, saying, “It’s not going to happen.”