Black Group Criticizes Obama for ‘Insulting’ Call to Support Harris, Labels It ‘Worst Kind of Identity Politics’

A group of prominent Black conservatives known as the ‘Black Men for Trump’ advisory board released a statement sharply criticising former President Barack Obama for urging Black men to support Vice President Kamala Harris. The group condemned Obama’s appeal as being based solely on race rather than policy, calling it “insulting.”

“President Obama’s recent call for Black men to support Kamala Harris based solely on her skin colour, rather than her policies, is deeply insulting,” the statement said. “Black Americans are not a monolith, and we don’t owe our votes to any candidate just because they ‘look like us.’”

The advisory board’s remarks follow Obama’s surprise stop in Pennsylvania, where he specifically addressed Black men, urging them to show the same enthusiasm for Harris that they had during his presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012. Obama reportedly expressed concern about the lack of turnout among Black voters, particularly Black men, for Harris’ campaign.

“My understanding, based on reports I’m getting from campaigns and communities, is that we have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighbourhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” Obama said, according to NPR.

Former President Barack Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2024. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Obama noted the lack of enthusiasm for Harris “seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” implying that some may not fully support a female president. He directly urged Black men to reconsider sitting out the election.

The *Black Men for Trump* advisory board strongly rebuked Obama’s comments, accusing him of reducing the Black community to a “race-based voting bloc.” The group argued that such an approach “perpetuates the worst identity politics.”

“For decades, the Democrat Party has promoted failed policies that disrupted generational wealth, undermined Black culture, and contributed to the breakdown of the Black household,” the group stated. “These policies, instead of uplifting Black families, have held them back by promoting family instability, poor schooling, and lack of economic opportunity.”

The statement was signed by several notable conservative activists, including Bruce LeVell, CJ Pearson, former Oklahoma State Rep. TW Shannon, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and Republican Reps. Byron Donalds of Florida and Wesley Hunt of Texas.

Former President Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Coachella, California. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

The group also encouraged Black voters to support former President Donald Trump, pointing to his positive impact on Black communities during his presidency. They cited his creation of jobs, lowering Black unemployment, and establishing Opportunity Zones as crucial achievements.

“He restored the American Dream by creating jobs, lowering Black unemployment, launching Opportunity Zones, and securing permanent funding for HBCUs. Under Trump, Black families had a shot at building wealth, breaking generational cycles, and thriving,” the group asserted.

Obama’s office has not responded to the *Black Men for Trump* statement.