To close out Black History Month, President Donald Trump met with a group of African-American leaders at the White House. After speaking to the group in question, the president is now being accused of using an insensitive term to describe those in attendance.
Trump trouble
Earlier this week, Donald Trump invited leaders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to meet him in the oval office to discuss his administration's goals for improving African-American communities in the future. As part of the meeting, Trump discussed his now signed executive order that is designed to help fund education and infrastructure, with a focus on job assistance for African-American youth.
The gathering was overshadowed by a photo taken at the meeting that showed Presidential Counsel Kellyanne Conway kneeling on a couch in the Oval Office. As reported by Mediaite and Buzzfeed on March 1, Trump has been accused of using a racially "insensitive" term.
Trump Reportedly Said ‘You People Are Doing an Amazing Job’ In Meeting With HBCU Leaders https://t.co/vTs8jbWjhY pic.twitter.com/Exehi3bD5h
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) March 1, 2017
According to the report in Buzzfeed, six people who were in the room have confirmed that Donald Trump referred to the group of African-American leaders as "you people." "You people are doing an amazing job," Trump reportedly said, before repeating the term at least three more times during the meeting.
The comment allegedly "raised eyebrows," and was later described as "Trump being Trump." One of the leaders who was in the room said Trump's use of the term was "very insensitive."
Kellyanne Conway says she ‘meant no disrespect’ by kneeling on White House couch https://t.co/bUusT3cyWg pic.twitter.com/nB5Gc9AA5z
— TIME (@TIME) March 1, 2017
Backlash continues
Since the start of his campaign for president, Donald Trump has been accused of "racism," while also giving a voice to those who wish harm on minority communities.
Critics point to the length of time it took for him to disavow former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke's support in the Repubican primary election, as well as many of his controversial policy proposals. From his immigration plans, to his "Muslim ban" executive order, the former host of "The Apprentice" claims to be the president of all Americans, but many have pushed back in opposition to the billionaire real estate mogul. Since his inauguration in January, Trump has faced a constant stream of backlash that doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon.
