A GOP strategist and member of the Black Americans for Trump Coalition, Melik Abdul, shared his frustration with Donald Trump during a CNN appearance on Table for Five with host Abby Phillip. Just two weeks into Trump’s third presidential campaign, Abdul said Trump’s rhetoric is making it harder for Black voters who support him.
The discussion focused on Trump’s recent comments linking a tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies—claims he made without evidence. Abdul didn’t defend Trump’s statements and instead criticized them as baseless.
“I call it the woke right, on the right, who are literally saying that, I think the male pilot had 1,000 hours, female pilot had 500 hours of training time,” Abdul said.
He expressed frustration that Trump was focusing on divisive issues instead of important policy matters like the economy.
“Donald Trump is appealing to these people in his second week, when we’re not talking about the economy, we’re not talking about any of that,” he said. “We’re talking about DEI, and he had no evidence, and people are out there defending it.”
Abdul made it clear he wasn’t supporting Trump for money or social media clout.
“I’m not going to get on television to defend it,” he said. “I want Donald Trump to know you are making it hard for us who are not looking for a payout or some sort of association, or the social media influence behind supporting Donald Trump or any politician.”
He warned that the recent increase in Black support for Trump shouldn’t be taken for granted.
“We want to support you because we believe in what you’re doing, and when you get out here and do this stuff around DEI, knowing that this support that he’s gotten from Black people, this uptick, it’s not permanent!”
Abdul’s comments reflect a growing tension among Black conservatives who want Trump to focus on real issues instead of divisive cultural debates.
Some Black voters who once supported Trump now feel betrayed. The administration’s quick moves to dismantle DEI initiatives, including removing training materials that highlighted the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots, have been especially disappointing. These actions are seen as erasing important parts of U.S. history and culture, leaving some supporters feeling misled by Trump’s earlier promises of inclusivity.
