(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Donald Trump actually stated he could “shoot somebody” in the middle of Fifth Avenue in New York City and not lose any voters. He made the comment during a January 2016 campaign rally in Sioux Center, Iowa to emphasize the unyielding loyalty of his political base. The idea of a “kindred spirit” where separate individuals share the same opinions, feelings, interests, and values is not something we automatically associate with American politics. When like-minded individuals whose shared passions, perspectives and even prejudices form deep emotional ties, it counters the notion that opposites attract.
The shared energy between like spirits can create an unbreakable tie which explains the cult-like following achieved by Donald Trump. Conceited people are drawn to other conceited people. Brash and egotistical people are drawn to other brash and egotistical people. Unfortunately, people who held a disdain for Barack Obama were drawn to Trump’s “Birther” conspiracy theory where he relentlessly promoted the false claim that Obama was not born in the United States, casting doubt on his legitimacy as a U.S. citizen and president.
We should never forget birtherism and the true meaning behind it. We should always see it as a racially coded strategy that helped Trump rise to power as a political figure by channeling fear and resentment among many White voters, especially those who were uneasy with a Black president and the demographic changes in our nation. Researchers have shown that belief in birther claims was especially strong among conservatives with high levels of racial resentment toward Black people and saw it as a means of defending “real Americans”.
The insults, criticisms and conspiracy theories directed toward Obama shows a pattern of blatant racism which has never ended. During Black History Month, Trump drew significant bipartisan condemnation and public backlash for sharing content on social media that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. Racially coded strategies will always work because racist people are drawn to other racist people. It is a fact that elected officials and candidates will use racial hate as a means of political manipulation and control. Therefore, if any past, present or future acts of racism promoted by Trump is embraced by Whites who share the same kindred spirit, why are Blacks also receptive and willing to downplay this side Trump? When Black Trump supporters choose to downplay or reframe birtherism, it makes it easier for the broader MAGA movement to deny that its true origins and motives are deeply driven by anti-Blackness. This is why the Kanye West and Donald Trump highly publicized relationship was key during Trump’s first term. West was a high-profile messenger and outspoken supporter of Trump wearing the MAGA hat and meeting with Trump in the White House. In 2018, West famously delivered a wide-ranging animated speech in the Oval Office praising the president’s “male energy”. Kanye West is not the only Black person drawn to Donald Trump’s “male energy” while ignoring the broader threat Trump poses to women and all people of color. This kindred spirit, in the form of “male energy” kept many Black men from voting for Kamala Harris for president despite her qualifications and experience.
More Black celebrities are now openly supporting Trump despite the threat of backlash from their fans and industry peers. Amber Rose, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj and Nick Cannon have stepped out publicly in support of Donald Trump. Nicki Minaj is no longer holding back. She has branded herself as the president’s “No. 1 fan”. In an interview with Time, she stated, “Many celebrities feel the way I do, but they don’t say it. Sometimes you need one brave person to get the brunt of the impact. I think I am the catalyst for that change. Hopefully, when they see me and hear me speak and feel my energy.”
It is not uncommon for Black professional athletes and entertainers to support Republicans because the GOP has always been the party of the wealthy. Many Black professional athletes and entertainers are wealthy individuals, and therefore they will vote and support their personal financial interests. But this is a different political climate where the rights of women and people of color are systematically being taken away. While Black entertainers may feel a kindred spirit connection with President Trump, many of their fans are being negatively targeted by Trump administration policies. MAGA support for Trump is rooted in racial hate, but it is also rooted in the belief that he fights for their priorities and follows through on promises—especially on immigration.
Let’s be clear. The policy of mass deportation supported by MAGA is another racially coded strategy (i.e. build the wall). It supports the agenda of “real Americans” while responding to the fears surrounding America becoming a minority majority nation. The MAGA movement is excited that Trump has become their champion for their White supremacy agenda. Nick Cannon is another Black celebrity to support the MAGA president. During an episode of his YouTube series, “Big Drive”, Cannon said “He is doing what he said he was going to do ….We got the Gulf of America now”, when referring to Trump renaming the Gulf of Mexico via executive order. While the MAGA movement likes the fact that Trump gets things done, let us not forget the means and methods of how things are getting done by way of human rights violations and the inhumane conditions at ICE facilities. Lastly, let us not forget that racially coded strategies have a long-lasting impact to our communities while being ignored by people of all backgrounds.
(David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America.)