Trump touts black employment rate, Congressional Black Caucus offers no reaction
President Donald Trump highlighted the African-American employment rate during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, but a cutaway shot of the Congressional Black Caucus showed their response was anything but enthusiastic.
"Unemployment claims have hit a 45-year low," Trump said during his speech. "African-American unemployment stands at the lowest rate ever recorded, and Hispanic American unemployment has also reached the lowest levels in history."
The camera then pivoted to a shot of the Congressional Black Caucus fully seated, offering no response to the Republican president's statement.
Members of Congressional Black Caucus offer no reaction as Pres. Trump says "African-American unemployment stands at the lowest rate ever recorded" in #SOTU address https://t.co/q18EZzVe9ppic.twitter.com/Xxkqc7hFt9
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 31, 2018
Twitter users were quick to pick up on the moment, offering a series of responses and takes:
President Trump: “African American unemployment lowest ever recorded....”
CBC members: A picture is worth a thousand words. 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/b2Hp96C4J9— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) January 31, 2018
Why do Democrat leaders look sick when Donald Trump talks about Black Employment rising?
Because Democrat leaders care more about power than they care about Black Americans. Sad. #SOTU— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) January 31, 2018
You know why none of the CBC
stood up? Because Black unemployment is still 2x as high as white unemployment--we are not here to clap for your mediocrity #SOTU— Rashad Robinson (@rashadrobinson) January 31, 2018
The official Black Caucus Twitter account posted a message relative to black employment rates in America earlier today, noting that the unemployment rate dropped significantly during former President Barack Obama's White House tenure.
"The black unemployment rate fell from 16.5% to 7.8% from January 2011 –January 2017," the tweet reads. "Now it’s 6.8%. Thank President Obama – not @realDonaldTrump. #ThanksObama#AYearofTrump."
The black unemployment rate fell from 16.5% to 7.8% from January 2011 –January 2017. Now it’s 6.8%. Thank President Obama – not @realDonaldTrump. #ThanksObama#AYearofTrump
— The Black Caucus (@TheBlackCaucus) January 30, 2018
This moment comes after President Trump took a jab at black entertainment mogul Jay-Z via Twitter on Sunday morning, responding to Jay-Z's criticism of Trump for relying on financial figures as the essence of his platform.
"Somebody please inform Jay-Z that because of my policies, Black Unemployment has just been reported to be at the LOWEST RATE EVER RECORDED!" Trump tweeted.
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