'We have to be very careful': Jim Clyburn blames media for Trump's popularity among Black voters since 2020 election

WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Jim Clyburn, D-SC, asserted that former President Donald Trump's rise in support among Black voters since the 2020 election was due to "disinformation" spread by the media.

"We have to be very careful because this is all about miscommunication, disinformation, and that’s what causes me great pause," the Democratic lawmaker and President Joe Biden surrogate told MSNBC on Wednesday, June 19, after a poll showed Biden had lost significant ground with Black voters in two swing states.

"I know the power of the media … repeating these things rather than reporting what’s actually happening," Clyburn continued, according to Fox News. "That is what’s causing the problem."

Joe Biden's support among Black voters in Pennsylvania had dropped

The host of MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell, referenced a recent USA Today survey that revealed a 20 percentage point decline in Biden's support among Black voters in Pennsylvania and a 22-point decline in Michigan.

Numerous media surveys have revealed that Black voters' support for Biden is waning. The president will ebb down from 86% in 2020 to 70% in 2024, according to a recent CNN analysis.

"There does seem to be a lack of enthusiasm, and some anecdotal evidence that Donald Trump, who was in Detroit just a few days ago in a Black church, although mostly White people in the congregation that day, seems to be making a concerted effort to try to appeal to Black voters," Mitchell posed to Clyburn.

She also pointed to Trump's comments boasting he's been the best president for Black Americans since Abraham Lincoln.

Rep Jim Clyburn alerts about media's 'disinformation' spread

Clyburn argued that voters shouldn't be duped by Trump and his "minions" claims about assisting Black Americans before cautioning about the media spreading false information. 

"People feel depressed. And if you depress enough people, you can suppress their votes," he continued. "And that’s why I’m running around the country. I’m going to Georgia this weekend to spend two days down there, reminding people of what this man did for the four years that he was in office."

Rep Jim Clyburn previously doubted Black voters turning to Donald Trump

In the past, Clyburn expressed doubt about surveys indicating that Black voters were shifting to Trump.

"I think Joe Biden is doing exactly what he needs to do to win reelection. Something is amiss with the polling. I call your attention to the recent polls in Maryland. The African American woman [Angela Alsobrooks] running for the United States Senate nomination — the Sunday before the election, one poll had her five down, the other poll had her seven down — and she won by 13. How do you explain that? That’s 20 points," Clyburn told Politico's Ryan Lizza during the 'Deep Dive' podcast.

In the most recent Fox News survey, Biden's percentage of Black voters' support was 73%, up from 66% in February, but still below his 79% before the 2020 election. According to the Fox News Voter Analysis from November 2020, 91% of Black voters supported Biden.

Internet says Rep Jim Clyburn 'is a racist slug'

Netizens expressed their opinions after Clyburn blamed the media for the rapid rise of Trump among Black voters. One user agreed with Clyburn, as he tweeted, "They’ve lied about Trump the whole time."

Another opined, "What "disinformation"? Black Americans are worse off than they were 4 years ago. Maybe @TheDemocrats should actually talk to black Americans instead of just assuming they know how they feel or what they want in policy." 

"Media's gotta take some blame for Trump's surprising black voter support. Folks were misled by fake news and misinformation. It's not like people suddenly became racists or anything. Just a lack of critical thinking and fact-checking," added one.

Another user commented, "It's not related to disinformation; rather, it pertains entirely to the time squandered and putting this country last during Biden's tenure in office."

One more lashed out at the Democrat representative, writing, "Clyburn is a racist slug."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.