Former President Barack Obama recently criticized black men for not “feeling the idea of having a woman as president,” suggesting that any support for former President Donald Trump among this demographic may be rooted in sexism. This accusation may prove detrimental to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is currently on a national campaign tour and is experiencing lower levels of support from black voters compared to her predecessor, President Joe Biden.
According to Pew Research, Harris’s backing among African Americans has dropped by about eight points since the last election. A Washington Post/Ipsos poll revealed that only 80% of black men support Harris, while an NAACP survey found that one in four black men under the age of fifty expressed their endorsement for Trump.
During a speech in Pennsylvania, Obama said, “Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and reasons for that.” He went on to say, “We have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities, as we saw when I was running. Now, I also want to say that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” referring to black men.
Obama continued by urging those present to support Harris, who has worked hard to overcome obstacles and achieve her position. Despite these efforts, however, there is a concerning trend among African American voters moving away from the Democratic party. From 2018 to 2022, the Republican share of the black vote increased from nine percent to thirteen percent.
Wendell Husebo is a political reporter for Breitbart News and a former RNC War Room Analyst. He is also the author of “Politics of Slave Morality.” You can follow Wendell on Twitter at @WendellHusebø or on Truth Social at @WendellHusebo.