Legendary hip-hop icon Chuck D is weighing in on Donald Trump’s shameless attempt to win around Black voters by selling sneakers.
Trump unveiled the gaudy kicks at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia last week, where he received a mixed reception. The “Never Surrender” gold high-top sneakers debuted and featured an American flag detail on the back with a “T” in bold on the side. They are on the market for $399.
After the sneakers went viral, Conservative commentators praised Trump’s new venture, with Fox News’ Raymond Arroyo claiming that Trump’s sneakers helped to connect him with Black voters.
Wait a minute? Did Fox News pundit Raymond Arroyo really say this past weekend that black people will vote for Trump because "they love sneakers"?
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) February 22, 2024
Yes, yes he did. pic.twitter.com/bBasJbZbNB
“As you see Black support eroding from Joe Biden,” Arroyo said. “This is (the shoes) connecting with Black America. Because they’re into sneakers, they love sneakers. This is a big deal. Certainly, in the inner city.”
Arroyo even declared that the new sneakers would convert Black voters from the Democratic Party to the Republicans.
Chuck D highly doubts that Trump’s latest tactic will work.
“I ain’t never been a sneakerhead,” Chuck D wrote while sharing a hand-drawn sketch of a Black man holding one of Trump’s shoes. “I wear ’em don’t overthink much of ’em,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Dude thinks he can get the Black vote like the other guy by dangling bait,” the Public Enemy rapper added. “Lol 2024 we laughed at the possibility of this scenario last century.”
I ain’t never been a sneaker head . I wear em don’t overthink much of em … dude thinks he can get the black vote like the other guy by dangling bait. Lol 2024 we laughed at the possibility of this scenario last century pic.twitter.com/tzXbdor9Gj
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) February 26, 2024
While Trump may not have earned Chuck D’s vote, several rappers have spoken out in support of the former president, including Waka Flocka, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black and Kanye West.
Love ain’t in none of this when its a photo op , cmon dude https://t.co/2LMvuTQBx8
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) February 26, 2024
Trump recently caught heat after he claimed that the Black community could relate to him because of his indictments. During an appearance at a gala hosted by the Black Conservative Federation, he said, “understand better than most that some of the greatest evils in our nation’s history have come from corrupt systems that try to target and subjugate others to deny them their freedom and to deny them their rights. You understand that. I think that’s why the Black people are so much on my side now because they see what’s happening to me happens to them.”
He went on, adding, “The mug shot, we’ve all seen the mug shot, and you know who embraced it more than anybody else? The Black population. It’s incredible. You see Black people walking around with my mug shot, you know they do shirts,” he said.
While Trump has never been particularly tactful with how he articulates his points, his recent remarks were a step too far for many.
Exhibit C: “Trump claims the Black community “embraced” him because he was indicted on criminal charges: You see Black people walking around with my mugshot.” This is a slap on the face to Black voters & just outright insulting. Call him out.pic.twitter.com/znh9PCQyp9
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) February 24, 2024
Kimberly Godwin, the president of ABC News, said comments by Trump about Black people were “as racist as they come,” per a report from SEMAFOR.
In an email sent from Godwin to her staff, she wrote, “No matter one’s politics, the fact that a person running for President of the United States made these remarks period — but also to a public crowd — and with so many black people present — and that they stand with him — is mind blowing. Shocking.”
Godwin wasn’t alone.
Biden’s campaign’s communications director, Michael Tyler, also condemned the sneakers, noting, “Donald Trump showing up to hawk bootleg Off-Whites is the closest he’ll get to any Air Force Ones ever again for the rest of his life.”
Trump may want to consider surrendering his insidious sneaker plan because, despite his efforts, for the majority of Black Democratic voters, it’s still very much Never Trump.
