Human Rights
Trump Backs Away When Black Man Tries to Hug Him at Black History Month Event and People Are Stunned
Donald Trump recently hosted a Black History Month event at the White House, even as his administration moves to dismantle federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. During the event, Trump announced that Alice Johnson, whose life sentence he commuted in 2018, will serve as a “pardon czar” to advise on clemency issues.
This celebration comes on the heels of an executive order signed by Trump, effectively ending DEI programs across federal agencies. The Department of Defense, for instance, has canceled all cultural observances, including Black History Month, under directives emphasizing unity over individual identity celebrations.
Despite these policy shifts, Trump issued a national proclamation honoring Black History Month. However, the responsibility for such observances now lies with individual agencies, leading to varied responses. Some have chosen to forgo traditional celebrations, aligning with the new directive.
The administration’s stance has sparked debate, especially among Black Republicans who fear potential political repercussions. While Trump secured 20% of the Black vote in the 2024 election, his approach to DEI policies has been divisive. Critics argue that eliminating these programs undermines efforts toward inclusivity and recognition of minority contributions.
Black bodybuilder Phil Heath was among the guests. A notable interaction occurred when Heath reached for a hug, and Trump appeared to avoid it, which was captured by attendees and broadcast on Fox News. This moment drew comparisons to a recent Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Tom Hanks, where a similar awkward interaction was humorously portrayed.
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The juxtaposition of hosting a Black History Month event while simultaneously dismantling DEI programs has led to mixed reactions. Supporters view the event as a commitment to honoring Black history, while detractors see it as contradictory to the administration’s broader policies. As federal agencies navigate these changes, the future of cultural and historical observances within the government remains uncertain.
Trump avoiding Heath:
DEI guy went for a hug, and Trump wasn't having it. ๐คฃpic.twitter.com/mGY8Xv2tMF
— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) February 22, 2025
And the comparison between the real event and the all too real episode of SNL from last week:
Life imitates art.๐ค pic.twitter.com/OtrklR1kaY
— Aes๐บ๐ธ (@AesPolitics1) February 22, 2025
People couldn’t believe Trump actually dodged a hug, from a Black man who just complimented him:
Trump was willing to stand up there for a few minutes to pretend to care about black history, but hugging the guy was a deal breaker. pic.twitter.com/KfeqsfrCa3
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) February 22, 2025
wait a minute ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ how embarrassing pic.twitter.com/siSKMnOYtB https://t.co/eexFBG6vmv
— markietta (@badgualriri) February 22, 2025
They had a FITTTTT when Tom hanks made fun of MAGA ppl by jumping back from a black characterโฆ. all for trump to do it in real life ๐ https://t.co/psmuV1NW4D
— HEATED hive ๐ (@thesweetestcyn_) February 22, 2025
Trump said nah that close enough to the Black guy ๐คฃ https://t.co/IOqcI9mqi3
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) February 22, 2025
Wasnโt this a week ago https://t.co/nCtUz5mQ9k pic.twitter.com/URu3LvRT3E
— bath father (@grahamkrackr) February 23, 2025
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