February 23rd 2024.
After spending a day at the annual Sneaker Con event in Philadelphia promoting his new sneaker line, former President Donald Trump received an unexpected endorsement from conservative analyst Raymond Arroyo. Arroyo's epiphany was that since Black people have a strong love for sneakers, they would be more likely to vote for Trump. He argued that Trump's presence at the event was a clear indication that he was winning over Black voter support from current President Joe Biden.
As seen in the clip from Fox News, Arroyo highlights the significance of this move by Trump, stating that it is "connecting with Black America because they love sneakers!" He goes on to explain that the $399 gold high-top "Never Surrender" sneakers, which come with Trump's signature in a black and gold box, will be a "golden ticket" to securing the Black vote, especially in inner city areas.
However, the response on social media to Arroyo's comments was not as positive as he had hoped. Many users pointed out the underlying racism in his statement, comparing it to the harmful stereotype of Black people loving grape soda and watermelon. One user even renamed the sneakers as the "Jan. 6's," referencing the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th.
At the event itself, Trump's presence was met with chants and boos from the crowd. Despite this, he attempted to connect with the audience by asking if they all considered themselves "sneakerheads." He also took the opportunity to express his love for the audience, stating that they were "slightly different" from his usual crowd.
Some may argue that Trump's new sneaker line is a strategic move to help him climb out of debt, as he was recently ordered to pay $354.9 million in penalties after being sued by the New York Attorney General for inflating his assets. But it remains to be seen if this tactic will truly sway Black voters in his favor.
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