Several organizations such as the NAACP and BlackPAC hit social media during and after the first 2024 election debate between President Biden and former President Trump to demand a clarification about the use of the expression "Black jobs" by the presumptive Republican candidate.
The phrase was used by Trump when asked about what Biden has done for Black voters amid apparent growing dissatisfaction with his administration among this demographic.
"The fact is that his big kill on the Black people is the millions of people that he's allowed to come in through the border. "They're taking Black jobs now — and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people. They're taking Black jobs, and they're taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven't seen it yet, but you're gonna see something that's going to be the worst in our history."
We have a question for former President Trump: What is a "Black job?" #CNNDebate pic.twitter.com/uYrTYxFaYV
— The Atlanta Voice (@theatlantavoice) June 28, 2024
The NAACP posted on the social platform X, asking "what exactly are Black and Hispanic Jobs!?!" while BlackPAC, an organization dedicated to building Black political power, posted a meme of actor Viola Davis removing her makeup, captioned, "Well, now that the debate is over. Time for us all to get ready for bed so we can be on time to our #BlackJobs tomorrow."
Well, now that the debate is over. Time for us all to get ready for bed so we can be on time to our #BlackJobs tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/tPFSWdWqoI
— BlackPAC (@voteblackpac) June 28, 2024
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) also expressed confusion, noting that the debate moderators did not seek clarification on Trump's comment. "I still don't understand the 'Black job' comment, it would have been nice if there was a follow-up to understand what he was trying to say," Omar posted on X.
When defending his stance, Biden highlighted historically low Black unemployment rates during his tenure. According to the White House, the Black unemployment rate remained at or below 6% from September 2022 to February 2023, dropping to 4.8% in April 2023. In April 2024, the rate was 5.6%. Under Trump, the Black unemployment rate was about 8% between 2016 and 2020 and averaged 11% from 2000 to 2015.
The latest Washington Post/Ipsos Survey of Black Americans found that in the 2024 presidential race, the majority of the Black community continues to support President Joe Biden.
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