Trump slammed for calling Biden 'king of super-predators' during Detroit visit to court Black voters

DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Donald Trump made a special appearance in Democrat territory on Saturday, June 15, speaking to a Black church congregation in Detroit.

In his speech at the 180 Church, Trump claimed credit for record-low unemployment among African Americans and urged the audience to reconsider their support for Joe Biden, whom he referred to as the "king of the super-predators."

"We think we're going to win this state. We're leading right now by a lot," Trump asserted. "So it's an honor to be here. It's a very important area for us. We've done more for, and I say this proudly, more for the Black population than any president since Abraham Lincoln. That's a big statement."

Trump has often touted his administration's achievements for Black Americans, reiterating his claims during the Detroit visit.

"We achieved the lowest African-American unemployment rate," he stated. "The lowest African-American poverty rate ever recorded, ever, ever recorded during my four years. We lifted 6.6 million people out of poverty. Black Americans saw their largest increase in homeownership on record."

It is true that Black unemployment reached historic lows during Trump’s presidency, but this trend has continued even under Biden.

The 'super-predator' comment

Trump did not miss the opportunity to remind his audience of Biden's role in the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. The act significantly increased funding for prisons and policing while also investing in crime prevention.

"You know, he walks around now talking about the Black vote," Trump said. "He's the king of the super-predators and he wrote the 1994 bill that you talk about so much."

However, it's important to note that the term "super predator" was used by then-first lady Hillary Clinton, not Biden, who distanced himself from the term when it was applied to young Black offenders.

During his visit, Trump participated in a roundtable discussion at the church to hear about local issues. The event concluded with a prayer and a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Trump, who had turned 78 a day earlier.

Trump's visit to Detroit highlights the delicate balance he is trying to maintain in his 2024 campaign. After engaging with the African-American church, he spoke at a Turning Point Action gathering, a group criticized by the Anti-Defamation League for attracting racists and extremists.

James Perkins, the pastor of Greater Christ Baptist Church in Detroit, criticized Trump's visit as a political stunt.

"Donald Trump has the nerve to waltz into our city and act like he wants to understand the struggles Black Detroiters face, but the reality is he doesn’t care," Perkins stated. "Every time Trump opens his mouth to talk to Black folks, he demonizes us, insults us, and makes empty promises he’ll never keep."

Despite this, the Trump campaign has been making inroads among minority voters, particularly those disillusioned with Biden.

Biden's approval rating among Black adults has significantly dropped from 94 percent to 55 percent during his term, according to a recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. In Michigan, Trump holds a narrow lead in polling averages.

In his speech, Trump promised to revitalize Detroit's struggling auto industry, which he claimed had been devastated by free trade agreements.

"They're building the biggest auto plants anywhere in the world right now in Mexico, fairly close to the border," he said, vowing to impose massive tariffs on imported cars. "We want those plants built in our country, not in that country. We're gonna bring back the auto industry to Michigan."

Michael Whatley, the new chairman of the Republican National Committee, stressed Michigan's importance in the upcoming election.

"Everybody knows if we don't win Michigan, we're not going to have a Republican in the White House," he told Michigan Republicans at a party dinner on Friday night. "Let me be more blunt: If we don't win Michigan, we're not going to have Donald in the White House."

Trump slammed by critics on social media

Trump's remarks about Biden being the "king of the super-predators" sparked a backlash from critics on social media.

"Says a guy who lost and thinks everything is rigged against him boooo!" one wrote on YouTube.

"King of the super projectors. It’s weird. I think he has no idea how much he projects," someone else added.

"Trump is king of the projectors. He walks right into this, it's excellent," a comment read.

"Always blows my mind how anyone votes for this guy. Even as a Republican, I couldn’t believe that it wasn’t obvious to everyone how full of it he is," another chimed in.

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