University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth said he thinks Trump’s comments to the black community are actually meant for undecided white voters. Some white voters may be hesitant to vote for Trump because of the perception he is unfair to minorities, he said.
“By speaking out to African–Americans, even if the audience is nearly all white, Trump may enable some of his supporters to say that Trump isn’t as bigoted as some might think,” Farnsworth said.
He said he thought the strategy may have a “marginal positive impact,” but said Trump has to do very well with white voters to make up for the lack of support from African–Americans and Latinos.
