WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump celebrated the centennial of Black History Month at the White House on Wednesday, showcasing prominent Black administration members while pushing back against allegations of racial bias.
During the invitation-only gathering of approximately 100 attendees, Trump promised “a century more” of African American achievement. However, the celebration unfolded against a backdrop of recent controversy and ongoing criticism of his administration’s efforts to eliminate diversity and inclusion programs.
The event took place roughly two weeks following significant backlash over a social media post from the president’s account that contained racist imagery depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.
South Carolina Republican Senator Tim Scott had condemned the video, calling it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” The administration initially stood by the post and criticized what they termed “fake outrage” before eventually removing it.
Trump stated he hadn’t viewed the controversial clip, attributed responsibility to a staff member, refused to offer an apology, and indicated no disciplinary action was taken.
The president, now serving his second term, has previously shared racially charged rhetoric, including his long-standing promotion of the debunked theory questioning Obama’s U.S. birthplace during Obama’s 2009-2017 presidency. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday that media outlets have unfairly “smeared” the president as racist.
Throughout Wednesday’s ceremony, Trump offered praise for several notable African Americans. He complimented Senator Scott on multiple occasions and invited various Black administration officials to speak, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, whom he described as “exceptional.”
The president also welcomed former presidential candidate and previous Cabinet member Dr. Ben Carson, announcing Carson would soon receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, along with White House pardons coordinator Alice Johnson, whom Trump pardoned in 2020.
“When I met her, I fell in love,” Trump remarked about his initial encounter with Johnson.
The audience applauded as Trump discussed his first-term criminal justice reforms and recent strict immigration enforcement measures. “It’s no wonder that in 2024 we won more African American voters than any Republican presidential candidate in history,” he declared.
Trump has faced criticism over the past year for language targeting immigrant populations, including Somali Americans and Latin American immigrants, frequently connecting these groups to crime discussions. He continued this approach Wednesday by bringing a Washington D.C.-area grandmother on stage whose grandson was murdered in 2017.
Civil rights organizations and specialists have warned that Trump’s moves to eliminate diversity initiatives could reverse decades of advancement.
“He keeps it real, just like grandma,” Forlesia Cook stated from the podium, expressing gratitude to Trump for requesting National Guard patrols in the capital as part of his tough crime stance.
“I love him,” Cook continued as the president patted her back, “I don’t want to hear nothing you got to say about that ‘racist’ stuff…get off the man’s back. Let him do his job, he’s doing the right thing, back up off him!”
For the second consecutive day, Trump highlighted his long-standing relationships with prominent African Americans to counter racism allegations. At the celebration, he praised boxer Mike Tyson’s loyalty in defending him.
Following civil rights leader Jesse Jackson’s death on Tuesday, Trump shared 11 photographs online showing himself alongside Jackson and other Black celebrities, writing that “despite the fact that I am falsely and consistently called a Racist by the Scoundrels and Lunatics on the Radical Left, Democrats ALL, it was always my pleasure to help Jesse along the way.”
After attendees chanted “four more years,” the president concluded Wednesday’s gathering with forward-looking remarks.
“This is a very special group of people,” Trump said, “So happy Black History Month, happy Black History Year, and happy Black History Century.”
