The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election have sparked intense reactions across communities, with many African Americans expressing outrage and frustration over the Latino vote, particularly the proportion of more than 60 % of Latino men who supported Donald Trump. This sentiment is rooted in the belief that Trump’s policies and rhetoric have historically been harmful to communities of color, and a perceived lack of solidarity between the two groups has deepened existing tensions. In 2021, Latino Los Angeles City Councilmembers; Kevin de León and City Council President Nury Martinez were caught on tape referring to African Americans as monkeys.
Outrage Among African Americans Over Latino Votes for Trump. A call for support for Mass Deportation of Latinos in the US
A History of Conflict and Coalition
African Americans and Latinos have often found themselves on parallel paths in the fight for civil rights and social equity. Despite shared experiences of discrimination and marginalization, the relationship between the two groups has not always been cohesive. The 2024 election highlighted these fault lines, as exit polls revealed a notable percentage of Latino voters—especially men—chose to support Trump.
For many African Americans, Trump’s presidency (2016–2020) was marked by divisive rhetoric and policies that disproportionately impacted Black communities, including restrictions on voting rights, police reform setbacks, and an apparent disregard for systemic racism. Given this, the decision of some Latino voters to back Trump has been seen as a dismissal of those shared struggles.
Trump’s victory sets the stage for a swift crackdown after an AP VoteCast survey showed the president-elect’s supporters were largely focused on immigration and inflation — issues the Republican has been hammering throughout his campaign. Many in the African American communities and some on social Medias are call on their elected leaders to withdraw their interest and protection of Latino immigrant in order to allow Trump carry out his plan for mass deportation. End the Safe City and other challenges and protections by the Democrats and allow Trump to carry out the wished of the Republican base, “Mass Deportation of Latinos”
Trump has said he would invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used 1798 law that allows the president to deport any noncitizen from a country the U.S. is at war with. He has spoken about deploying the National Guard, which can be activated on orders from a governor. Stephen Miller, a top Trump adviser, has said troops under sympathetic Republican governors would send troops to nearby states that refuse to participate.
L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez, shown in 2019, made racist comments in a 2021 meeting
African American Reactions to Latinos vote for Trump
For African Americans, the Latino support for Trump has been seen as a betrayal of shared interests and struggles. Social media platforms have been flooded with discussions about how this voting bloc undermines progressive coalitions and perpetuates policies that harm marginalized groups. Feelings of Betrayal: Many African Americans feel that Trump’s presidency was emblematic of systemic racism. For some, seeing a significant percentage of Latino voters support him reinforced a sense of political isolation. Calls for Accountability: Activists and leaders are demanding deeper conversations within progressive movements to address what they see as a lack of alignment on issues like police reform, immigration justice, and economic equity.
Outrage Among African Americans Over Latino Votes for Trump. A call for support for Mass Deportation of Latinos in the US
Moving Toward Understanding and Solidarity
While the outrage is palpable, it also highlights the need for deeper dialogue between Black and Latino communities. Building effective coalitions requires: Addressing Bias: Both communities must confront internalized prejudices and assumptions about one another. Shared Goals: Emphasizing common interests, such as education reform, healthcare access, and workers’ rights, can help bridge divides. Community Leadership: Leaders from both communities must work together to create platforms that foster mutual understanding and collaboration.
Conclusion
The 2024 election has underscored the challenges of coalition-building in a diverse democracy. While African Americans may feel anger and betrayal over Latino votes for Trump, these emotions can serve as a catalyst for deeper engagement and solidarity. Both communities face systemic challenges that require unity and cooperation, and the path forward lies in addressing differences while strengthening shared commitments to justice and equity
