‘Something similar that black people had to deal with’

Brooklyn-born Rep. Byron Donalds swooped to former President Trump’s defense after he made eyebrow-raising comments about black voters during a formal gala in South Carolina Friday.

Speaking at the Black Conservative Federation Gala in Columbia, Trump, 77, suggested that his ongoing legal woes have made him more relatable to black Americans because they view him as a fellow victim of discrimination by the US legal system.

“A lot of people said that’s why black people like me, because they have been hurt so badly and discriminated against, and they actually viewed me as I’m being discriminated against,” Trump said at the event for black conservatives in the Palmetto State.

The 2024 GOP frontrunner’s remarks quickly went viral, and were strongly condemned by some including Nikki Haley, who called his words “disgusting.”

Donalds, however, had a different reading of Trump’s assertion.

“The President was really just enjoying himself. It was a great celebration for black conservatives across our country,” Donalds (R-Fla.) said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday.

He went so far as to agree with the former president in spirit, comparing his “political persecution” to historic struggles experienced by black Americans in getting a fair shake in the justice system.

“Yes, this is political persecution from the Department of Justice and from radical DAs throughout our country. This is something similar that black people had to deal with — with the justice system themselves.”

Donalds, 45, further contended that many black Americans conclude that, “If the government’s going after him with foolishness, he can’t be that bad.”

The Florida congressman also underscored that top of mind for black voters are bread-and-butter issues such as the economy, and argued that President Biden’s performance gives Trump ample fodder on that front.

At one point during the black-tie event in South Carolina, Trump also joked, “These lights are so bright in my eyes I can’t see people I can only see the Black ones — I can’t see any white ones.”

The Sunshine State Republican, who endorsed Trump early on, stressed that he wasn’t offended by Trump’s remarks.

He also pushed back against Cedric Richmond, director of the Office of Public Engagement, who suggested Trump’s remarks were racist.

“Cedric is trying to play politics and use racial politics,” Donalds shot back. “The number one reason why minority voters in our country want to support Donald Trump is because … he did a great job as president.”

Trump is facing 91 criminal counts spanning across four indictments. His first trial is set to commence on March 25 in the Manhattan hush-money case. He has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty across the board.

Donalds is widely seen as a potential vice presidential contender. Trump, himself, confirmed during a town hall with Fox News last week that the congressman is on his shortlist.

It is rare for a presidential standard bearer to select a sitting member of the House of Representatives as their running mate. Historically, governors and senators tend to be favored over members of the lower chamber.

A recent straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference pegged Donalds as the No. 6 choice, with 7% support among attendees to be Trump’s VP.

Trump won the South Carolina GOP primary contest by roughly 20 points and is the far-and-away favorite to become the Republican presidential standard bearer.

Donalds endorsed Trump over his home state governor Ron DeSantis in April of last year.