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‘Wait, what?’ Reaction split when Trump touts praise from unlikely supporter, DeSantis doesn’t miss a beat

November 30, 2023 | | Print Article

Former President Donald Trump is raising eyebrows with his recent praise of an unlikely supporter, the former leader of Rhode Island’s chapter of Black Lives Matter, Mark Fisher — not the least of which are those of Trump’s chief rival for the GOP nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

As BizPac Review reported, Fisher stunned those on both sides of the political aisle when he formally endorsed Trump for president.

“I think personally it’s the duplicity of the Democrats, the hypocrisy,” Fisher told Fox & Friends when asked why black Americans are turning to Trump and away from President Biden. “We are not stupid. The brothers are not stupid. We understand when someone is for us and when someone is not. It’s obvious that the Democratic Party is not for us. Their policies actually strike at the heart of the black family and nuclear family,”

Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to thank Fisher for his support.

“Spoke with Mark Fisher yesterday, a great guy, very honored to have his and BLM’s support,” Trump wrote.

“I have done more for Black people than any other President (Lincoln?), including 10 year funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, where they had not, Opportunity Zones, Criminal Justice Reform, and much more,” he stated. “Thank you to Mark!”

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The perceived praise of BLM from Trump was, for many, more shocking than Fisher’s endorsement of the MAGA King.

DeSantis seized on Trump’s “Truth” to torch his rival.

“BLM praising Donald Trump — and Trump celebrating it — makes perfect sense,” he wrote on X. “When BLM was burning down cities and assaulting police officers in cities across this country, Trump did nothing but sit in the White House tweeting ‘LAW & ORDER!'”

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“We did it differently in Florida,” DeSantis said. “I didn’t just tweet. I took action and called up the National Guard. We were not going to let our cities burn.”

“As President,” he promised, “I will not sit idly by and watch rioters torch American cities.”

Reactions to Trump’s post — and DeSantis’s comeback — were as split as the Republican Party.

“President Trump is attracting new support from groups that historically never would have considered voting Republican and I’m supposed to think this is a bad thing?” asked one user on X.

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“Presidential elections are for all Americans, @RonDeSantis, not just those you pander to or pay to endorse,” noted another. “Only those who have won a GOP primary would know these things; it is obvious you do not.”

“God forbid you reach out to BLM and work with them,” replied a third. “Trump’s the deal maker and will do right by every American, including black Americans. You? I’m not so sure.”

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But others believed DeSantis was right to call Trump out for his response to Fisher’s endorsement.

“Awesome response,” one user told the Florida governor. “Right now every MAGA influencer is furiously deleting every post they’ve made attacking BLM over the years.”

Former Trump attorney, Jenna Ellis, predicted, “Trump is 5 seconds away from tweeting ‘If you don’t vote for me, you ain’t Black.'”

“It is also disgusting that Trump thinks BLM speaks for all Black people,” stated another user. “Shows he is not in touch w most black people who want a true law and order president, as he may think sitting up in his ivory tower.”

One thing is for certain: Fisher’s endorsement does not reflect the views of Black Lives Matter’s Rhode Island PAC.

“In response to recent media coverage, we would like to clarify that Mark Fisher is not and has never been affiliated with our organization. The views expressed by Mr. Fisher in the referenced Fox News segment do not reflect the values or beliefs of BLM RI PAC,” the organization posted on X.

“We would like to emphasize that Mark Fisher claims association with Black Lives Matter Rhode Island, a non profit organization,” it continued. “Any statements or actions attributed to him should not be conflated with our organization.”

“We are disappointed by the association between Mark Fisher and former President Trump, as expressed in the Fox News interview,” the group stated. “BLM RI PAC remains focused on our mission to create positive change through advocacy, education, and community engagement.”

Melissa Fine
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