Singer John Legend said more Black and Latino voters are favoring former President Donald Trump for many reasons, including his “masculinity.”
“I do think Trump performs a form of masculinity that is appealing to some men,” Legend said in an interview with “Pod Save America” Tuesday. “That may explain the uptick.”
According to a Fox News survey released in May, President Joe Biden was receiving 72% support among Black voters. In 2020, he had 79% support.
The singer also said these voters are wrong in their belief the economy is suffering under Biden, per Fox News.
“I hear a lot of misinformation and disinformation about the economy under Trump and what’s happened since. To be clear, the economy is doing quite well,” Legend said, pointing to low unemployment and manufacturing jobs returning to the United States.
“If you are informed about that, and you objectively are observing what’s going on with the economy, you would say actually, Biden is really great for the economy. He’s great for men in the economy because he’s bringing back these jobs that men often do,” Legend told co-host Jon Favreau.
Legend credited Biden for the “amazing accomplishments” he’s done after the COVID-19 pandemic — something he is not getting credit for doing.
“If you think Trump’s going to be better on the economy? No,” he said, adding Trump would likely give tax cuts to billionaires.
“If you care about either of those issues, like, no way, do not vote for him.”
In a few swing states, Black voters have been vocal about their discontent over the economy, thereby focusing their vote on Trump even though they may not like his personality.
While he still has mass support from Black and Latino voters, the trend downward should still be a concern for Biden, especially in battleground states, Legend said.
“It’s an issue that the campaign is going to have to deal with,” he said.
The Biden-Harris campaign has tackled that issue with the “Black Voters for Biden-Harris” campaign, which will seek Black student organizations, community groups and faith centers for their support.
This new campaign effort was announced Wednesday.
