A Black barbershop owner in Atlanta revealed that hosting a campaign event for former President Donald Trump led to a loss in business, leaving him frustrated.
Prior to Trump’s debate with President Joe Biden in Atlanta, his representatives organized the Black American Business Leader Barbershop Roundtable at Rocky’s Barbershop, which featured a surprise call from Trump himself. However, the turnout of customers at the barbershop has lessened since the event, as reported by local news outlet 11 Alive.
Rocky Jones, the barbershop owner, expressed his disappointment, sharing, “We received some backlash and negative calls from people who don’t know me, and that’s been challenging to deal with.”
Having no interest in politics, Jones believed the event aimed to support small Black-owned businesses. He thought it would be a private discussion focusing on Black businesses in Atlanta; hence, he was taken aback when Trump called in during the event, feeling it deviated from its original purpose.
Speaking to another local news outlet, Atlanta News First, Jones expressed feeling betrayed by the outcome of the event. He highlighted that the event organizers did not disclose its political nature beforehand, and he never directly spoke with anyone from Trump’s campaign team.
Trump has been actively targeting the Black and Hispanic vote for his 2024 campaign, with a recent poll showing improved support for him among Black voters compared to previous years.
According to CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten, Biden’s support among young Black voters has decreased significantly over the years.
Trump faced criticism after his remarks during a debate where he mentioned migrants taking away “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs,” a statement that was refuted as lacking substantial evidence.
Former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair, Michael Steele, questioned Trump’s comments and his engagement with the Black community during the barbershop event, labeling them as inappropriate and divisive.
Derrick Johnson, the president of the NAACP, rejected the idea of “Black jobs,” emphasizing that all jobs are inclusive and not limited by race. He considered Trump’s remarks as ignorant and segregating.
Despite the critics, Trump’s supporters, including Black Conservative Federation President Diante Johnson, defended his stance on job opportunities for Black Americans.