Trump Speaks Directly to the Needs of Black People, BLM Leader Says

Mark Fisher, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Rhode Island (left) and former President Donald Trump (right). Mark Fisher/Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images

President Donald Trump has done more for black people than any president said Mark Fisher, a Black Lives Matter (BLM) leader who turned into a supporter of the former president.

“I believe that Donald Trump is the best current candidate that we have for the black community. I think he speaks directly to the needs of black people,” he said during an interview with Newsmax. “His record is proven. ... He has done more for black people than any president that I can think of in my lifetime. So I want to give him another opportunity.”

Some politicians have been using race to deflect attention from their failures, Mr. Fisher told the media outlet.

“If race was such a problem ... why [are] our school systems and cities run by Democrats failing and have been failing for the last 50 years?” he questioned.

“I’m tired of people cashing in on American division and American suffering, and I’m here to put a stop to it,” Mr. Fisher added.

BLM Leader Turned Into Trump Supporter

Mr. Fisher, a co-founder of a BLM chapter in Rhode Island, surprised many people by showing vehement support for Mr. Trump during an interview with The Epoch Times in October.

Mr. Fisher disapproved of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party during the interview.

But he spoke highly of Mr. Trump—who is obviously one of the frontrunners for 2024—and praised him as the “best candidate.”

“He’s anti-institution. He can’t be bought. He can’t be sold. He’s going to give it to you straight and keep it real and those who relate to that love that about him. If you look at both parties and the potential candidates—including the current president and vice president—I think he’s the best candidate we have. It’s a no-brainer,” Mr. Fisher said.

Mr. Fisher believes that he’s not a lone Trump supporter in the BLM movement.

“I feel like the tide is starting to turn,” he said during an interview with podcast host Kim Iversen in November, adding that he thinks “a lot of black people are starting to pivot off that Democratic plantation.”

“For so long, we’ve been slaves to that,” he added.

Black Support for Trump

Mr. Fisher doesn’t stand alone in the black community in wanting to see President Trump return to office in 2024.

“More and more black people every day are supporting him,” he told The Epoch Times. “Look at the rappers. The latest one who just went turncoat on the Democrats was Waka Flocka Flame, who announced on Twitter that he’s voting for Trump.”

On Oct. 16, the rapper posted a photo of himself and President Trump, and another post stated simply, “TRUMP2024.”

“Look at how a black neighborhood in Fulton County cheered Trump on the way to the county jail,” Mr. Fisher added.

They know that the government is harassing him because they’ve seen it in their own lives, he said, and they recognize the persecution.

Mr. Fisher said he isn’t afraid of taking flak from others in the black community because of his support for President Trump.

“I’m going to get the same pushback I expect for this that I got when I started the organization, not only from the white community but from my own community,” he said. “It’s just something that goes with the territory when you’re a leader. You must be bold. You can’t be afraid to be ridiculed.”

Many people in the black community are secretly behind President Trump and want to see him back in office, Mr. Fisher said.

“They won’t say it in public in fear of backlash from the community because they have reputations, businesses, and relationships they don’t want to put in jeopardy, but they’ll speak with their vote,” he said.

Matt McGregor and Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.