New polling data indicates a significant increase in support for Donald Trump among black Americans since the 2020 election. According to a CNN polling average, Trump’s support among black voters has risen to 22 percent in the 2024 election cycle, compared to 9 percent at this point in the 2020 cycle.
In contrast, President Joe Biden’s support among black voters has decreased. Biden’s support has dropped from 81 percent in the 2020 election cycle to 69 percent in the 2024 cycle. A CNN correspondent described the margin between the two candidates as “historic” and suggested it could represent the “best performance for a Republican candidate among black voters” since the 1960s.
The correspondent also noted that this margin could be a concerning indicator for the Biden campaign. The polling average coincides with a series of polls conducted in swing states, which show Trump leading in most of these areas, aided by increased support among young, black, and Hispanic voters.
In response to declining numbers, Biden has indefinitely postponed his menthol cigarette ban, which has faced criticism from black leaders who view it as a racially motivated effort. Surveys indicate that over 80 percent of black smokers use menthol cigarettes.
Additionally, Biden has planned several events to commemorate the anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education case. These events include a visit to Martin Luther King Jr.’s alma mater, Morehouse College, to deliver the commencement speech for the graduating class, and remarks at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, according to CNN.
Biden’s efforts to win back black voters through recent actions may not be effective, considering his overall track record.