Donald Trump, Racist: Fact Or Fiction?

The man, the myth, the former president, and, let’s face it, a headline-generating machine—Donald J. Trump—has been labelled many things: a reality TV star, real estate mogul, self-proclaimed genius, and, of course, a golf enthusiast.

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But one tag that tends to stick around like a bad reality show is the accusation that Trump is racist. This perception is rife especially in the black community. Is it true, though? Or are we all missing something?

Now, here is the interesting part: No one accused Donald Trump of being a racist until he decided to run for president. Even stranger, no one seem to remember Trump’s long history and camaraderie with the black community.

Trump’s Black Friend List—Long Before Politics

One thing many people tend to forget is that Donald Trump has been in the public eye for decades—far longer than many other public figures. And during that time, he has often been involved with the black community in ways that go beyond the stereotypes.

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When we think of Donald Trump today, the image of him rallying up his MAGA crowd comes to mind. However, long before “Make America Great Again” hats became a fashion statement, Trump was rubbing shoulders with some of the most famous black personalities in the world.

Now, let’s take a deep dive into Trump and his relationship with black people—a tale as old as (Trump) Tower.

Jesse Jackson

American civil rights activist, Jesse Jackson, has praised Trump on multiple occasions, including in the 1990s, for his support of economic initiatives that helped black communities.

In 1984 and 1988, Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Trump—yes, that same Trump—supported Jackson’s efforts by donating office space for his campaign and publicly praising Jackson’s work. Clearly, this isn’t exactly the kind of actions a man with a burning disdain for black people will take.

Don King

Rosa Parks’ 84th birthday party

In 1997, Trump was invited to Rosa Parks’ 84th birthday party. That’s right—the same Trump that would later be accused of dog-whistling to white nationalists. He once shared cake with one of the most revered black figures in the civil rights movement. If that’s not a plot twist, I don’t know what is.

Herschel Walker

The former NFL running back, Herschel Walker, had a personal and business relationship with Trump dating back to the 1980s. This relationship began when Walker played for the New Jersey Generals, a team Trump owned in the United States Football League (USFL). Walker has publicly expressed his admiration for Trump over the years.

Mike Tyson

Trump’s connection with “Iron Mike” Tyson is a long one, beginning way back in the 1980s. When Tyson became the heavyweight champion, Trump wasn’t just a guy with a fancy New York office—he was one of Tyson’s close associates. Trump not only promoted some of Tyson’s biggest fights, but he also defended the boxer during his legal issues in the 1990s and  referred to Tyson as a friend. A racist wouldn’t do that, right? Right?

Michael Jackson

It may come as a surprise to some, but Trump was close friends with the King of Pop. Michael Jackson, according to Trump himself, even lived in Trump Tower for some time. During interviews, Trump often speaks fondly of Jackson and their years of friendship. Sure, Trump might criticize someone’s business acumen, their hair, or the size of their hands, but when it came to Michael, he had nothing but nice things to say. If anything, they probably bonded over their love of expensive real estate and extravagant lifestyles.

Al Sharpton

Civil rights leader, Al Sharpton, had a cordial relationship with Trump during the 1980s and early 1990s, mainly through their shared connection to New York City. While they had public disagreements, they attended several events together, and Sharpton once called Trump a “friend” during that period, although their relationship later cooled off.

Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons is the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings and a major figure in the black community. Simmons was once a close friend of Trump, long before the presidency entered the picture. In fact, Simmons often praised Trump for being inclusive in his business dealings, showing that for years, Trump didn’t seem to care what color you were as long as you were making money.

Snoop Dogg

This one may shock you, but Snoop and Trump were actually friends back in the day. Trump even appeared on Comedy Central’s Roast of Donald Trump in 2011, where Snoop (and others) roasted him in front of a live audience. Snoop’s jokes were savage, but Trump took it in stride and praised Snoop’s talent. While Snoop would later change his tune post-2016, their prior camaraderie shows a man who didn’t seem too worried about race relations when it came to friendships.

Randal Pinkett

The early 2000s saw Donald Trump transcend from real estate mogul to reality TV star, thanks to The Apprentice. For 14 seasons, Trump had candidates competing for a coveted role within his business empire. One of the most famous moments was his hiring of Randal Pinkett, an African-American man, as the first black winner of The Apprentice. Pinkett later stated that his experience with Trump on the show was overwhelmingly positive, with no hint of racial bias. A racist would never hire someone of a different race to be his top employee… or would he?

So, Is Trump Racist?

Now, does Trump have his flaws? Absolutely. This is the same guy who called half of the world’s leaders incompetent (that’s putting it mildly). And his comments on certain matters—like immigration—have undoubtedly drawn criticism. But if we’re basing Trump’s supposed racism on his relationships with black people, the evidence seems to point in a different direction.

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He has been friends with powerful black celebrities, worked with black politicians, and promoted black entrepreneurs—often long before he even entertained the idea of running for office. Off course, Trump can be brash, unapologetic, and as subtle as a sledgehammer, but to paint him with the broad brush of “racist” seems to require ignoring decades of his interactions with black people.

The Final Verdict?

In true Trump fashion, let’s keep it short: The man likes golf, money, and TV ratings. If you happen to be black but can contribute to those things, you’re in. Racist? Maybe not. Self-interested? Now that’s a title he’d proudly wear.

After all, the one thing Trump loves more than anything—be it black, white, or purple—is a good deal. And if history has shown us anything, he’s more than happy to make those deals with anyone, regardless of race.

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