Source: Win McNamee / Getty
Donald Trump’s approval rating among Black Americans has crept above 20 percent, but let’s not get carried away—it’s still far from mainstream acceptance.
In 2024, Trump secured 16 percent of the Black vote, a record for a Republican since 1976, but still trailing well behind his support from white (56 percent) and Hispanic voters (43 percent). Gains in battleground states were minor, with a 13 percent increase in Wisconsin and a 5 percent uptick in Georgia and North Carolina.
The increase in reported popularity among Black voters in Georgia and North Carolina comes as a surprise after Trump’s recent policies, especially his executive actions targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These states have some of the largest Black populations in the country and are home to many HBCUs—institutions that have historically played a vital role in Black upward mobility.
HBCUs, a pillar of Black education, have also suffered under Trump’s policies. While he initially signed a bill providing long-term funding for HBCUs, his administration later undermined their financial stability by slashing federal grants and research funding that many of these institutions rely on. Additionally, his rollback of DEI programs has made it harder for these schools to secure federal partnerships and corporate sponsorships, further limiting resources for Black students. While Trump’s slight gains among Black men might make headlines, the bigger picture reveals a presidency that has systematically undercut institutions and programs designed to support Black communities in these key battleground states.
Polls paint a mixed picture. YouGov/Economist found 24 percent of Black voters approve of Trump, while 69 percent disapprove. McLaughlin and Associates reported 29 percent approval, and Emerson College showed 23 percent. Meanwhile, a wildly optimistic AtlasIntel poll claimed 69 percent approval—highly suspect given Trump’s history with Black communities. Immigration remains a hot-button issue, but only 30 percent of Black voters approve of Trump’s handling of it, compared to 57 percent of white voters.
Trump’s immigration policies have been particularly harsh on Black and Brown Americans, making the issue a major concern for voters of color. His administration’s strict deportation measures, asylum restrictions, and travel bans disproportionately impact Black immigrants, who often come from African and Caribbean nations. These policies have led to increased detentions and deportations of Black migrants, many of whom already face racial discrimination in the immigration system. Meanwhile, Latino communities have been at the center of Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric, with family separations and border crackdowns creating widespread fear—it’s clear that Trump’s approach remains deeply unpopular among communities that bear the brunt of these policies.
The skepticism isn’t unfounded. Trump has a long track record of racially charged rhetoric and policies—from pushing the birther conspiracy to gutting DEI programs on day one of his presidency. His opposition to initiatives supporting Black communities hasn’t been a selling point. A 2040 Strategy Group poll found that while many Black voters feel Democrats aren’t doing enough, 68 percent want them to focus on protecting DEI from Trump’s attacks.
Yes, Trump has made slight inroads, particularly with younger Black men, but let’s be real—these are ripples, not waves. His policies continue to alienate much of the Black community, and as reality sets in, any gains could prove fleeting. Numbers don’t lie, and for most Black Americans, Trump remains as polarizing as ever.