Amber Rose, a prominent OnlyFans model and influencer known for her relationships with famous rappers, took an unexpected stance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. With her distinctive platinum buzz cut and face tattoo, Rose declared to the mostly white audience that she had moved past the “left-wing propaganda” that once led her to believe Donald Trump was a racist. Thus, she affirmed her new allegiance, saying, “These are my people. This is where I belong,” while proudly wearing a red MAGA hat.
Her involvement didn’t stop there. Rose reappeared the next evening in a music video for “Trump Trump Baby,” a remix of Vanilla Ice’s classic hit by MAGA rapper Forgiato Blow. In the video, Rose showcased a gold chain featuring a medallion of Trump’s face, solidifying her support.
Rose’s public endorsement is part of a broader Trump campaign tactic that leverages hip-hop culture to connect with Black and Latino voters, as noted by The New York Times. This strategy includes using street slang, playing hip-hop music at rallies, and collaborating with conservative artists. Trump’s campaign has marketed $400 gold sneakers and welcomed rappers to Mar-a-Lago, promoting a macho, rebellious image that resonates with certain groups inspired by street life.
And the liaison seems to be reciprocal: after Trump survived an ear injury at a rally, rapper 50 Cent posted a photoshopped image of Trump on his album cover “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” celebrating Trump’s resilience. DJ Akademiks, a prominent rap commentator, reacted with excitement to Trump’s survival of the incident, calling him a “gangster” and highlighting Trump’s appeal as an anti-establishment figure.
This sentiment taps into a deep distrust of the justice system and Democratic establishment among many young men of color. Polls and endorsements from figures like Rose indicate that Trump’s campaign is gaining traction in these communities. However, critics like Bakari Kitwana argue that Trump’s strategy exploits racial stereotypes and fails to engage the hip-hop community substantively. Instead, it focuses on leveraging the popularity of certain celebrities to gain support. Nonetheless, polling indicates a notable shift, with some Black and Latino voters showing increased support for Trump, driven in part by dissatisfaction with President Biden.
While Trump’s overall popularity among Black voters remains low, even small gains in support can significantly impact a close election. The Trump campaign believes that outreach to influencers and celebrities is more effective than traditional methods like door knocking – recognizing the power of social media and celebrity endorsements in shaping public opinion.
Historically, Trump has had a complex relationship with the hip-hop community. In the 1990s, he was often referenced in rap lyrics as a symbol of wealth and success. Over the years, notable rappers like Kanye West and Lil Pump have expressed support for the former president, contributing to a broader trend of hip-hop figures endorsing him. This shift is partly attributed to Trump’s pardons of hip-hop figures like Michael Harris, Lil Wayne, and Kodak Black, which have earned him favor in some circles.
In spite of this, Democrats point to Trump’s past actions and statements that reinforce racial stereotypes, such as his controversial, racially-driven response to the Central Park Five case – involving a group of Black and Latino boys falsely accused of raping a woman in Manhattan – as well as his remarks on inner-city neighborhoods. They argue that Trump’s newfound support in the hip-hop community overlooks his track record on racial issues.
And with Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, a further question enters the equation of voter sentiment: will the probable candidacy of Kamala Harris, a woman of color, shift the allegiance of the Black electorate back to the Democrats?
