Trump seeks to rally Black support ahead of midterm elections

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday sought to highlight his outreach to Black Americans during a White House reception marking Black History Month, held months before November’s midterm elections.

Speaking at the event in the East Room, Trump brought several prominent Black figures to the stage, including Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner and former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson.

The president announced that Carson, who served as HUD secretary during Trump’s first administration, would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honour.

“Ben's getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That's the biggest. That's the highest award you can have outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor,” Trump said during his remarks.

Trump also appeared to suggest the possibility of deploying the National Guard to Atlanta, Georgia, as part of efforts he says are aimed at tackling crime. Critics, however, have described such proposals as attempts to assert greater federal authority over Democratic-led cities.

“You need help in Atlanta,” Trump told attendees, adding that he could “take care of Atlanta so fast” if local leaders reached out.

The event comes just over eight months before the United States holds midterm elections. Historically, the party in power tends to lose seats in Congress during midterm contests — a pattern Trump has previously acknowledged.

Polling compiled by Decision Desk HQ indicates that Trump currently holds the support of around 23% of Black Americans, while approximately 74% disapprove of his job performance.

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