(The Center Square) – Some of the messaging throughout the Democratic National Convention in Chicago seems to focus on characterizing former President Donald Trump as a racist and misogynist. A Black Republican from Chicago says those are lies.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has long used terms like “racist” and “misogynist” in verbal attacks against the Republican presidential candidate. Throughout the week in Chicago, from the main convention stage to the Illinois delegation breakfast, speakers have echoed similar characterizations.
Asked if it’s fair to characterize a person who half the country supports in such terms over policy differences, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said party leaders aren’t saying that Trump supporters are racists and misogynist.
“I am characterizing their candidate Donald Trump as a misogynist and a racist,” Raould said Wednesday after the Illinois Democrats’ breakfast. “I’m speaking for myself, I’m characterizing him as a misogynist and a racist based on the words that have come directly out of his mouth.”
Frederick Walls, a Black Republican running for a statehouse seat in Chicago, told The Center Square he is regularly in conversations with community members.
“They may say ‘well, he’s racist,’ and I say ‘just prove it’ and then they can’t prove this,” Walls said while wearing a Trump 2024 hat. “So then I educate them on Donald Trump and say, ‘well do you personally know him and what has he personally done to you?’ And they can’t say anything. And so I say, ‘so all you know about him is what the media have showed you.’”
Walls said the media is lying. He then provides background about Trump’s support for Black leaders like Jesse Jackson.
“The Republican Party was founded to abolish slavery,” Walls said. “Everything about the Republican Party was helping Black people getting back.”
Early voting for the Nov. 5 election begins Sept. 16.
