President Trump is actively seeking the support of historically significant Democratic voters, while President Biden is working to prevent the loss of their support. Both candidates are making direct appeals to black voters in a changing political landscape, where the outcome may hinge on narrow margins in key battleground states. The campaign has already seen intense accusations of racism from both sides, with the Republican National Committee highlighting past remarks by President Biden that could be viewed as racist, and the Biden campaign responding with videos accusing President Trump of racism.
Recent polls have shown that President Trump is gaining support among African Americans, particularly men, in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. President Biden only leads in Wisconsin. The candidates are neck-and-neck among 18-to-29-year-old and Hispanic voters, a demographic that overwhelmingly supported President Biden in the 2020 election.
In an effort to court black voters, President Trump has focused on working-class issues like the economy, crime, and immigration. He has made appearances in predominantly black areas like the South Bronx and used these opportunities to highlight concerns shared by many African Americans, such as inflation and perceived preferential treatment of illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, President Biden has emphasized his achievements benefiting African Americans, such as record investments in historically black colleges and universities, low black unemployment rates, and support for black-owned small businesses. He has made symbolic gestures like holding the first presidential primary in South Carolina and delivering speeches at historically black institutions like Morehouse College.
As the campaign heats up, both candidates are vying for the support of black voters, whose turnout and allegiance could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election.
The median net worth of black households increased by 60 percent to $44,900, marking the largest growth among all racial groups.
Despite this progress, the Biden campaign is facing challenges in retaining minority supporters. One possible reason is that minority voters perceive Democrats as too extreme.
According to the polling firm Cygnal, “A majority of black voters now view the Democratic Party as more extreme than Republicans. Overall, the perception of Democrats being more extreme has risen by five percent since January.”
Ron Klink, a senior policy adviser and former Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, praised the Biden administration for offering unprecedented opportunities for leadership and input to minority Americans, surpassing previous administrations.
“I believe that should resonate,” Mr. Klink stated. “If it doesn’t, then they have not effectively communicated.”
While President Biden still holds a majority among black and Hispanic voters, there has been a shift in voter preferences since 2020. In the last election, 87 percent of black voters supported President Biden, compared to 12 percent who voted for President Trump.
A significant change in black voting behavior could impact the outcome of the 2024 election, especially in battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Wisconsin where the margins of victory were narrow.
Political analyst and Republican strategist Ford O’Connell told The Epoch Times, “If Trump can secure close to 20 percent of the black vote, he stands a good chance of becoming the president of the United States.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
