Omarosa Manigault Newman has openly criticized her former boss, Donald Trump, for his recent comments during a debate where he claimed that illegal immigrants are taking “Black jobs.” Trump’s remarks were made in the context of criticizing President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. He argued that the influx of people crossing the border is taking jobs away from Black Americans.
In an interview with TMZ, Newman questioned the validity and origin of Trump’s statement. “What is a Black job? I don’t know where he got that from unless he’s taking it all the way back to slavery because you know the only 100% Black job in this country was back during slavery time,” she said. She described Trump’s comments as “so insane” and emphasized that the Black and Hispanic communities are not monolithic.
Newman, who first gained fame as a contestant on “The Apprentice” and later became a prominent Black member of Trump’s White House, has been vocal about her disapproval of Trump’s handling of racial issues. “I think that people will come to terms with the fact that Trump may not be equipped to deal with the racial issues that are going on in the country,” she stated. “In fact, he’s kind of fed into a lot of them.”
Their relationship, which began on reality TV, took a significant turn when Newman joined Trump’s administration. She worked on outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and addressed racial disparities in the military justice system. However, their relationship soured after her departure from the White House in December 2017.
Newman’s criticism of Trump is not new. In February 2018, while discussing her potential tell-all book during her time on CBS’ “Celebrity Big Brother,” she compared her experience in the White House to slavery. “Ooh, freedom, I’ve been emancipated. I feel like I just got freed off of a plantation,” she said, according to The Wrap and People magazine.
Later that year, she released her tell-all book, “Unhinged,” which included critiques of Trump’s mental state and portrayed him as racist. She also claimed to have secretly recorded conversations with Trump and then-Chief of Staff John Kelly, among others.
Interestingly, Newman’s “racist” comments about Trump contradicted her earlier remarks made immediately after leaving the White House. In December 2017, she told ABC News that “he is not a racist.” She explained that being the only African-American woman in the senior staff was challenging and that many of Trump’s other senior advisers “had never worked with minorities” and “didn’t know how to interact with them.”
“Yes, I will acknowledge many of the exchanges, particularly in the last six months, have been racially charged,” she said. “Do we then just stop and label him as a racist? No.”
Newman’s recent comments highlight her ongoing disapproval of Trump’s approach to racial issues. She believes that Trump’s statements about “Black jobs” are not only misleading but also potentially harmful. By suggesting that illegal immigrants are taking jobs specifically from Black Americans, Trump is perpetuating a divisive narrative that oversimplifies complex socio-economic issues.
Newman’s critique also underscores the broader issue of how racial and ethnic communities are often pitted against each other in political discourse. Her assertion that the Black and Hispanic communities are not monolithic is a reminder that these groups have diverse experiences and perspectives that cannot be easily categorized or manipulated for political gain.
Moreover, Newman’s call for Trump to clarify his statements reflects a demand for accountability and transparency in political rhetoric. In an era where misinformation can spread rapidly, it is crucial for public figures to be clear and precise in their statements, especially on sensitive issues like race and employment.
Newman’s journey from a reality TV star to a White House aide and now a vocal critic of Trump provides a unique perspective on the former president’s administration. Her experiences and insights offer valuable lessons on the importance of diversity, inclusion, and the need for leaders who are genuinely equipped to address the complex racial issues facing the country.
As the debate over immigration and employment continues, it is essential to consider the voices and experiences of those who have been directly involved in these discussions. Newman’s critique of Trump’s “Black jobs” comment serves as a reminder of the need for thoughtful and informed dialogue on these critical issues.
Source: USA TODAY, TMZ, The Wrap, People magazine
