The event took place on the eve of the state's Republican primary, where Trump is currently leading with a significant margin over former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Trump, who is a potential candidate for the 2024 presidential race, has been maintaining a lead of approximately 30 points over Haley, the former governor of South Carolina. Last month, he secured the endorsement of the state's black Senator, Tim Scott.
Addressing the crowd, Trump said, "When I did the mug shot in Atlanta, that mug shot is No. 1. You know who embraced it more than anyone else? The black population." He expressed his belief that black voters empathize with his situation, as they often face similar experiences. "A lot of people said that's why the 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 added.
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However, his comments were not well-received by everyone. Nikki Haley, his rival, described Trump's remarks as 'disgusting.' She warned that his unpredictable and offensive behavior could cost the Republicans the general election. "Donald Trump cannot win a general election. He won't," Haley stated.
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The Biden campaign also criticized Trump's decision to address the predominantly black crowd. Jasmine Harris, the Black Media Director for the Biden campaign, accused Trump of being a 'poster boy for modern racism.' She cited his past actions, including his false accusations against the Central Park 5 and his comparison of his impeachment trial to being lynched.
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Trump officially announced his 2024 presidential bid on November 15, 2022. Shortly after, he was criticized for dining with rapper Kanye West, who had recently made anti-Semitic remarks, and white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
Despite the controversy, Trump is hoping to win over some of the black and Latino voters who supported President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Biden received approximately 90 percent of the black vote in 2020, a slight decrease from the support black voters gave to Hillary Clinton in 2016. President Barack Obama, the first black president of the nation, received 97 percent of the vote during his reelection bid in 2012.
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