During a Black History Month reception at the White House, President Trump took the opportunity to assert his stance on race, emphasizing that he is not a racist while naming several Black celebrities he considers friends.
Trump introduced his only Black cabinet member, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, alongside former cabinet member Dr. Ben Carson. He then invited White House Pardon Czar Alice Johnson to speak, followed by Leo Terrell, a former Fox News commentator turned Justice Department lawyer, whom Trump referred to as a “special guy.” Alveda King, niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., also addressed the audience.
As the event progressed, Trump began to list various athletes and entertainers he counts among his friends. Notably, he mentioned rapper Nicki Minaj and a series of boxers, including Mike Tyson, who has faced legal troubles in the past. “Mike Tyson, Boy, I tell you, Mike has been loyal to me. Whenever they come out, they say, ‘Trump's a racist’ ... Mike Tyson goes, ‘He's not a racist, he's my friend,’” Trump stated.
He continued to praise Tyson’s loyalty through thick and thin. “But Mike Tyson's a great guy, and he was so loyal. Always been loyal,” he added.
Trump also commented on Minaj’s appearance, noting her “so beautiful skin” and her distinctive acrylic nails, expressing curiosity about their authenticity. “I said, Nikki, are they real? She said she didn't want to get into that, but she was so beautiful,” he remarked.
The president highlighted several former NFL players as well, including Herschel Walker, who ran unsuccessfully for Senate in Georgia and now serves as Ambassador to the Bahamas. He also mentioned Jim Brown and Lawrence Taylor, the latter of whom Trump called “a great friend,” boasting about his own golf skills compared to Taylor’s.
This event unfolded just a week after Trump faced backlash for sharing a video on social media that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama’s faces superimposed onto apes in a jungle setting. The clip was removed after 12 hours following widespread condemnation from politicians and public figures alike.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, one of Trump’s allies and the only Black Republican in the Senate, criticized the president’s actions. “Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” Scott posted on social media.
Trump has a history of contentious remarks regarding the Obamas, often leading to accusations of racism. Before entering politics, he promoted unfounded claims about Obama’s birthplace. In 2011, Obama released his long-form birth certificate to quell these rumors.
Since resuming office after winning the 2024 election against Kamala Harris, Trump has initiated efforts to dismantle anti-discrimination regulations and eliminate programs aimed at supporting Black Americans. His administration is pushing educational institutions to revise history curricula by downplaying criticisms of slavery.
At the Defense Department, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has reportedly removed several high-ranking Black officers under the pretext of eliminating “diversity, equity and inclusion” advocates while implementing grooming standards perceived as discriminatory against Black service members.
A federal judge recently rebuked Trump’s anti-diversity initiatives by ordering the restoration of references to slavery in an exhibit at Philadelphia’s President’s House. This ruling came after the National Parks Service had removed mentions of slavery from historical sites in line with Trump’s executive order aimed at revising how American history is presented.
The order directs a review of museums and historical sites that depict foundational principles in a negative light, resulting in the removal of exhibits detailing the harsh realities of slavery and civil rights struggles.
Trump has also criticized the Smithsonian Institution for its focus on slavery's negative aspects rather than celebrating America’s potential and future. He has threatened to withdraw federal funding from museums that portray American values as harmful or oppressive.
