Monday, January 20, 2025

Trump Specifically Thanks Blacks and Hispanics in His Inaugural Address: ‘I Will Not Forget It’

image

The 45th and 47th President, Donald J. Trump, gave one of the most on-point, laboriously measured, and distinctly powerful inaugural addresses in my lifetime. Certain portions of the speech registered differently with us all here at RedState, but for this writer, this particular moment was not only unexpected but unprecedented. 

Advertisement

In the portion of his speech about unifying the nation and the increase of support among the spectrum of Americans that brought about his electoral victory and his presidency, Trump specifically crafted a “Thank You” and a commitment to Black and Hispanic communities.

To the Black and Hispanic communities, I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and trust that you have shown me with your vote. We set records and I will not forget it. 

Here is what I know from many years of watching politics and my own personal experience: For decades, the majority of the Black community has thrown its lot in with the Democrat Party. In 2008, they were so proud to elect the first black president in Barack Obama, considering this a sign that the end of racial division and unequal measures had passed, only to be deceived and disappointed after eight years of an Obama presidency. 

Advertisement

While Obama is the most immediate example, any Democrat win fits. When it came to implementing promised policies to their coalition, the Black community was immediately forgotten. Instead, the party implemented policies that were not a reflection of thanks or appreciation but disregard and dismissal. 

I have followed politics for going on 47 years, and as far as I know, no Democrat or Republican politician has specifically thanked the Black and Hispanic communities in a victory speech; and especially not in an inaugural address. The 2024 election signaled the end of this era, and President Donald Trump’s win cemented the beginning of a new one. He understood this and gave credit where credit was due. 

It was even more germane that inauguration day and Martin Luther King Day coincided. Trump not only honored those Blacks and Hispanics who supported him with their confidence and votes, but he honored the vision of the great civil rights leader, whose statue resides in the Capitol Rotunda where Trump had just been sworn in for his second term.

If King had not been assassinated in 1968 and had lived to the present, it seems likely that at the age of 96 he would be a partisan Democrat, like most black American leaders of older generations. But whatever King himself might have thought of Donald Trump and today’s Republicans, America has moved sharply toward King’s vision of a society in which racial differences have faded.  

Advertisement

Trump’s strategic mention and specific outpouring of thanks to Blacks and Hispanics was not simply a throwaway line. It was not buried in the middle of other things, but stated up front and eloquently. It was not a convenient turn of phrase which Trump’s speech writers felt played well. It was weaved with great care into the progression of the speech. It was sincere, expressive, and a commitment to continue the work started on the campaign trail. Trump said as much in his inaugural address as he continued his thought.

I’ve heard your voices in the campaign and I look forward to working with you in the years to come. Today is Martin Luther King Day, and in his honor, this will be a great honor, but in his honor we will strive together to make his Dream a reality. We will make his Dream come true. National unity is now returning to America. 

Along with Trump’s stated commitment is an expectation that these communities who dared to reject electoral tradition, so-called racial orthodoxy, and the lies, the smears, and the gaslighting, will continue to work to coalesce, unite, and achieve not just Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Dream, but their own American Dream.

Advertisement

This post was originally published on this site

RELATED ARTICLES
Advertisements

Most Popular

Recent Comments