"Oh, Dem Golden Sneakers" - Fox News Said Black People Will Vote For Trump Because Black People Love Sneakers

DirtTvCelebrityMedia, Feb 22, 2024

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a Feb. 22, 2024 YouTube video that addresses the statement about Black people that a White host made during a show the day before on the conservative channel Fox News. That host shared indicated that Black people would vote for former President Donald Trump for President because Trump had launched a line of sneakers and Black people love sneakers.

This post presents an excerpt that provides background about Trump's line of sneakers and presents  comments from several YouTube discussion threads and from a Huffington Post discussion thread that react to the statements that were made by that Fox host.

The beginning part of the title for this pancocojams post "Oh. Dem Golden Sneakers" is a play on the title of  a popular 1879 minstrel song "Oh Dem Golden Slippers". That song was written by African American American James A. Bland. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh,_Dem_Golden_Slippers  for information about "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers" and click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A_tG9dYX4s for a YouTube sound file of that late 19th century song .

A small number of the comments in this compilation provide information about this subject and/or succinctly state their opinions about this subject. However,  I selected most of the other comments in this compilation because I consider them to be witty and representative of African American "flavor" ("spirit"). This "flavor" (spirit) is usually reflected not just by what is said (that the statement was stereotypical and therefore racist), but also how the commenters expressed what they said. I'm particularly interested in documenting their use of  African American Vernacular English words, sayings, grammatical constructs, and spelling. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and linguistic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those commenters who are quoted in this post.

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DISCLAIMER 
There are many more YouTube videos and other online comments about this incident than the discussion threads that are showcased in this pancocojams post. These just happened to be the examples that I read and watched.
 
This post doesn't mean to imply that all of the commenters who are quoted herein are African Americans.

This post also doesn't mean to imply that the only reactions to that Fox News host were witty. Furthermore, just because some of the online comments about that Fox New host's statements could be considered witty, doesn't mean that the people making those comments weren't serious about what they said, and/or angry about what that Fox host said.

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EXCERPT ABOUT DONALD TRUMP SELLING SNEAKERS
Excerpt #1
From https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/17/politics/trump-sneakers-pay-millions-new-york-trial/index.html

Trump launches sneaker line a day after judge’s order to pay nearly $355 million

By Kate Sullivan, CNN

Updated 9:04 PM EST, Sun February 18, 2024
"Former President Donald Trump on Saturday launched a sneaker line, a day after he and his companies were ordered by a judge to pay nearly $355 million in his New York civil fraud trial.

The former president unveiled “Trump Sneakers” at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. He placed a pair of gold sneakers, which a new website has listed for $399 and named the “NEVER SURRENDER HIGH-TOP SNEAKER,” on the podium as he spoke.”…

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Excerpt #2
https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-raymond-arroyo-says-black-people-will-vote-for-trump-because-they-love-sneakers

Calling Trump’s sneakers a “big deal” in the “inner city,” Raymond Arroyo leaned into racial stereotypes about Black people to suggest they will go MAGA in 2024.

Justin Baragona, Updated Feb. 22, 2024 
"Leaning especially hard into well-worn racial stereotypes, Fox News pundit Raymond Arroyo this week insisted Black Americans will support Donald Trump in this presidential election because “they love sneakers.”

[...]

“[Trump] somehow survives, which must drive his opponents crazy, because even the sneaker thing. I was on social media last night. Very interesting as you see Black support eroding from Joe Biden,” the Fox News co-host declared based on tweets he read.

“This is connecting with Black America because they love sneakers!” Arroyo added. “They’re into sneakers… this is a big deal, certainly in the inner city. So when you have Trump roll out his sneaker line, they’re like, ‘Wait a minute, this is cool!’”...

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SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC FROM VARIOUS ONLINE DISCUSSION THREADS.
The comments that are included in this pancocojams compilation from Source #1 are from the discussion thread of the YouTube video that I embedded in this post. 

The sources for the other comments in this post are given in no particular order. Those sources are numbered for referencing purposes only. 

I've included brief explanations for a few of these comments, but I haven't highlighted or included any definitions of the African American Vernacular English words and sayings that are found in these comments. I also haven't added explanations for most of the play on words and other comments about stereotypes that are included in this compilation.  

All of these comments are from Feb. 22, 2024. 

SOURCE #1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfL0Lm4gss, published by DirtTvCelebrityMedia, Feb 22, 2024

1. @sandrahardison4918
"Just openly racist."

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2. @acsayjerbaihu
"Peewee Herman has really gone down in the world"
-snip-
This commenter-and one other person in that discussion threads whose comment I placed immediately below this one -believes that the Fox News host looks like the character "Pee-wee Herman" that was portrayed by American comedian Paul Reuben . Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pee-wee_Herman for information about "Pee-Wee Herman".

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3. @maxprivate3805
"Who is that PeeWee Herman host at Faux Newz?"

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4. @moorreese
"This is what Republicans think of us. And some of you will vote for them."

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SOURCE #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpt8Zxzhhd8 "Blacks will vote for Trump because of sneakers!", published by The Amazing Lucas, Feb. 22, 2024

1. @bigcoop3717
"Those shoes are ugly. You’ll get clowned wearing those"

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Reply
2. @RickMcGuire-bl2vs
"They are to collect,lol."

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3. @Thefundraiser96
"And they wonder why they never get the black vote with stuff like this, im waiting for maga yamaka hats for the jews and maga Sombreros for the Mexicans.:

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4. @Kingboss709
"When i saw that fox news said that i literally lost brain cells trying to find the logic sh-t* its so bad my soul took damage"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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5. @darkmankind
"Somebody distorted the message: Many of us may be sneakerheads, but we are not stupid. Ain't no way in hell.️"

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6. @mikeyserrano9748
"Cant wait for the campaign ads of "drinking kool aid with the blacks" from some racist midwestern state"
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/02/the-stereotype-of-african-americans.html for a 2012 pancocojams post entitled "The Stereotype Of African Americans & Kool-Aid".

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7. @beebbeec280
"This is what they think of us….

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8. @bakihanma6770
"Add grape soda and fried chicken, Trump will have us all. It’s a damn shame people equate us to such foolishness."

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Reply
9. @paulomilan515
"@RickMcGuire-bl2vs Lucas talked about that 2 episodes ago keep up son"
-snip-
"Lucas" is the vlogger host of this YouTube channel. The use of the word "son" in this comment implies that the commenter is "schooling*" a male who is younger than he is, or whose comment shows that he needs to be taught about that matter like younger people who attend school and learn from older people who know more than they know.

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10. @teachergotgame2203
"He’s coming out with a Stop The Stealitos for the ladies next."

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11. @geraldineking6071
"You forgot hot sauce !"

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12. @DefenderOfLogic
"Hillary (D) brings hot sauce. Trump (R) brings shoes. Only difference is Trump makes money in the process."
-snip-
(D) = Democratic
(R) = Republican

Hillary= Hillary Clinton

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13. @rhodegraham
"Well Trump did try to get the Mexican vote by posing with a taco bowl in 2016  during Cinco de Mayo."

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14. @abduahs9366
"Anyone who votes for Trump because of f—king* sneakers should no longer be allowed to vote and more importantly be taught what good sneakers look like."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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15. @qwright242
"Ridiculous. The shoes are ugly and their policies match it"

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16. @DaSmoov54
"All that's missing is Jimmy Walker busting in Fix News shouting DY-NO-MYTE!!"
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmie_Walker
"James Carter Walker Jr. (born June 25, 1947) is an American actor and comedian. He portrayed James Evans Jr. ("J.J."), the older son of Florida and James Evans Sr., on the CBS television series Good Times, which ran from 1974 to 1979, and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1975 and 1976 for his role. While on the show, Walker's character used the catchphrase "Dyn-O-Mite!" which he also used in his mid–1970s TV commercial for a Panasonic line of cassette and 8-track tape players and a 2021-2023 Medicare commercial"...
-snip-
Jimmie Walker is African American. 

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17. @NPUnplugged
"If that was the case Michael Jordan would be president tf"

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SOURCE #3 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNtUv3uZmCg

Donald Trump and Fox News Think The Air Grift Ones Will Win Him The Black Vote!! published by PoliticsByTabitha, Feb. 22, 2024

1. @Dixon_Yamada
"The new clown outfit of 2024 is a red hat and gold sneakers. You can see these clowns a mile away. So each pair cost approximately $399 dollars. I guess the economy is doing great under President Biden if the clown shoes are sold out"

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Reply
2. @robingales6126
"Right on"

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3. @NorrthCafe
"It is over the top that they can't hear the racism in their comments. So pathetic."

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4. @PaperMario64
"I'm black. Never owned a pair of ridiculously priced sneakers, don't "love" sneakers, or collect them. Once you learn how much it costs to make these brand names versus what they charge and how they pay workers, it all becomes disgusting. Sadly, its the younger folks that don't understand the racist dog whistles and don't know when they are being insulted."

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Reply
5. @kcufelgoog3225
"Lot of older folks don't understand thedog whistles as well, and don't know when they are being insulted"

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6. @michellelaguerre8760
"I what  I know for sure of young Black people, they absolutely hate fakes sneakers of any kind and These  sneakers says FAKE, FAKE,"

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7. @chaebaker3012
"I would not even pay $5 for them at goodwill"

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8. @titanman8302
"Those shoes didn't look much more expensive than the $12 converse I used to buy back in the 70s. So, considering the fact 37% of the country can't afford a $400 emergency situation, which means with black folks it's more like $200. Any black person who spent $400 on those shoes need to have their head examined."

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9. @asterillachild5
"“They love sneakers”! Boy, I’m insulted that they think we can be hoodwinked and lead astray by sneakers. Sis you got me on Koonish! That’ll make Merriam Webster 2024!  Keep doing you!"

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10. @Gatorsfan601
"I’d rather wear Ronald McDonald’s clown shoes."

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11.@brendawilliams5787
"I won’t vote for him if gold coins came out his mouth and backside. You can get them at Temu any way . They are all full of it. I don’t wear sneakers but I do vote"

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12. @stacywacy4995
"Not one of my black family members or friends would spend $400 on a gaudy gold pair of sneakers.  I won't even buy the $40 dollar Made in China t-shirts.  Forget the $400 knock offs.  That is not a blue collar worker that has a family to feed plopping down $400 for a pair of sneakers. We will never ever vote for Donald Trump.  Nobody I know bought the shoes."

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13. @Avant402
"I will never vote for Trump or buy his garbage shoes. I’ve asked my nephews (all 7 of them) what they thought about Trump’s sneakers and they clearly said NO the shoes are tacky and not worth the $400. And it’s stupid of trump and his people to think black Americans are going to vote for him based on this!"

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14. @carrie0508
" “WE DON’T NEED A WALKER, WE NEED A RUNNER!”……..but not in THOSE shoes!"
-snip-
"We don't need a Walker, we need a Runner!" was the statement that Pastor Jamal Bryant made in his speech in support of Rev. Raphael Warnock, the Democratic candidate for the United States Senate in Georgia in October 2022. Rev. Warnock was competing against former professional football player Hershel Walker. Rev. Warnock was the winner of that Senatorial seat.  

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15. @njokimcelroy2952
"I don’t know a single Black person who would be caught dead in those ugly shoes. You couldn’t give me a pair."

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16. @carolynharrison6987
"What an insult!  Just put out cheap glitzy sneakers.  There were less than 10 pair made.  Folks have to pay 399 to order.  NO refund.  They MAY be delivered in August after 45 has spent your $.  You can look up conditions of ordering online."

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17. @dianneyung111
"Yep, as far as people like him are concerned we blacks like shiney things and loose shoes.  Racist much?

To answer you question. No.  FYI. The shoes don't actually exist.  This was a preorder for delivery in late June or July.   The grift continues."

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18. @ririlove1962
"i approve this message... Nuthin but FACTS!!! Ugliiass shoes & the jokes on them"

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19. @BrazilianGirlChannel
"Omg. They are so out of touch it sound like an SNL skit."
-snip-
"SNL" = "Saturday Night Live" television series

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20. @woolleyweaves
"I'm waiting for the video posts that show they are falling apart after first use, cause you know that's next. News at 11!"

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Reply
21. @BCB458
"The gold will start to fall off in 2 weeks.  It is also most likely toxic."

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22. @BWTM
"I came here for LOLz"

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23. @gail5343
"Nope didn’t buy nor did any members of my family. The grifter strikes again. Can’t wait to hear when they come apart like the steaks, university etc., all of the things he touches or endorses. SMH"

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24. @stewrobb2329
"This was the same party that said black people would vote for trump because he got arrested".
-snip-
"party" = political party [referring to the Republicans]

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25.@plantmaster3339
"The sneakers have NOT been made, NO company named to make them, NO shipping date and NO REFUND ."

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26. @Deb.-on9ep
"Tabitha, you are crazy girl! Air Grift Ones"

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27. @LilliLamour
"Chiiiiiiile"

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28. @rell127
"The Jan 6's lol"

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29. @cherylmoore8960
"Hell 2 Nawh Nawh...."

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30.@butterflyd1269
"I'm not buying those Jan6s!!! TRump's cult better buy that trash! Wonder Woman remakes!!!"

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31.@azucenathegysy
"Hell no,i wouldn't if i could afford hell would freeze over before id buy them!"

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32. @CarollemMen-cl8nz
"They trying to say that Black people love their sneakers and will pay $399 for it.

I wish I would pay

3 cents for anything belonging to Donald Con Trump.

Vote [blue wave emoji]"

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33. @wandajenkins9426
"No !!! And Hell No"

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34. @cynh2910
"Tabitha, this is exactly how they think of us. I would rather purchase from Walmart before
I give DJT one  dime of my money.

 What's that saying.. A fool and his money is easily parted.."

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35. @libe2431
"OMG.  I am not sure why this surprised me. Just when I think they are hitting a new low, they go LOWER.  That crap for $400.00 come on."

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36. @SIRSWAUN
"Hell Naw I didn't buy them hideous Treason 6's"

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37. @jaysouthphil7505
"Did I buy that trash....HELL NO!!!  And I'm a real sneaker head and from Philly!!!!"

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38. @thereddude49
"I think he bought his own air grift  ones clown shoes. Trying to start a buzz for the  grift ."

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39. @starbaby849
"I’m black and wouldn’t be caught dead in those gaudy, cheap looking shoes. They look  like they are so cheaply made the soles will fall off when you walk."

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40. @audreyhickson7895
"And u know damn well we ain't buying them shoes lol..."

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41. @curly73ful
"Don't forget the mugshot. Because we're all criminals... we could relate. We love sports, crime & gym shoes. This is what they think about us.

BTW please don't flood Raymond Arroyo with mean tweets"

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42. @JHarris.000
"They look like they were already on Te__mu and he just said that he would upcharge and sell them. T is for Te__mu"

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43.@audreyhickson7895
"I can't say what I want to say"

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44. @thomasgresham5253
"Dontwhiteboysbuysneakersididnot "

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45. @JHarris.000
"I think those shoes were already on teamoo"

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46. @cassandrahemby5953
"Trump sneakers in our community...Yeah right️ LMAO"

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47. @chilepleasestop9118
"No i didn't buy them uglass shoes."

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48. @Cassw997
"Hades NO!"

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49. @cynthiagonzalez537
"Fox Entertainment continues to insult African Americans intelligence."

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50. @ceeceeclarke6130
"We are Not a monolith"

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51. @karenbarrett6734
"These broadcasters are in an alternate universe"

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52. @clouddanh1983
"The shoes rename: the Con man, the grifter,  the I will take your 400, the inflation,
the smelly 6"

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53. @barbarawortham8865
"So all we care about is sneakers? Wow!"

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54. @patriciasprings5769
"The disrespect is crazy"

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55. @saundraking7168
"Not just NO but HELL NO!"

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56. @ncqueenbee9838
"No person I know bought or would buy those tacky sneakers."

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57. @ndcoach29
"This just gets stranger and stranger and they’re delusional."

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58. @crystalscott9948
"They also insulted us on mugshot day! Remember we were suppose to want to vote for him then as a reason for having his mugshot taken as if all black folks have a record"

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59.@stephanieclark6154
"Homie don't play THAT!!!!"
-snip-
"Homie don't play that" was the signature statement that the character "Homie Da Clown" made in the African American comedic skit series In Living Color. 

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60. @thecrow7483
"A con man at sneaker con with a con pair of sneakers"

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62. @sharonwilliams6082
"Heck no too the no"

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63. @greatboniwanker
"Selling in "Potus White" <WtF!!> or "T-Red" but the picture shows some bs gold kicks!"

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SOURCE #4
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fox-news-raymond-arroyo-trump-sneakers_n_65d791f3e4b0189a6a7d3e94 "Fox News Pundit Insists Trump Sneakers Will Win Him Black Votes"

Raymond Arroyo said the $399 shoes are a way for Trump to connect with Black voters because "they love sneakers, published by David Moye, Feb 22, 2024

1. James Matthews
"So this is what Fox News thinks of us (the blacks)? ‘Dangle some over priced ugly, no style sneakers in front of us and you got our vote?’ Not only is this patronizing it’s insulting in subtle racism.

File this under reason number 5,543,890,543,676,986,123 why this brother will never be a Republican."

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2. Michael Riley
"Why stop at shoes?  Trump fried chicken and watermelon is just around the corner! /s"

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3. Roberta T. Geraldo
"Black Trump supporters-this is what Republicans think of you. Remember that when you go to the polls, or are trashing us women of color when we shake our heads at how you can support someone that sees you all as “Jamal”.

You see not one attempt to truly appeal to EVERYONE with decent American policies, but back-handed insults insinuating that Black men will vote based on a beat up, run over TEMU shoe. 🤦🏼‍♀️"
-snip-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temu_(marketplace)
"Temu is an online marketplace operated by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings.[6][7] It offers heavily discounted consumer goods[8] which are mostly shipped to consumers directly from China.[9][10]"...
-snip-
Temu products are very inexpensive, but some people believe that the quality of those products is  poor. 

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4. S K
"Pretty sure that's not gonna work out the way he thinks it will."

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5. Dan D
"Sounds a bit racist and assuming to me."

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Reply
6. S K
"Maybe just a lil' bit..."

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7. Tom A
"Trump doesn’t make these sneakers. He’s just selling his name for them. The sneakers are made by a shady company operating out of a UPS box. In their write up they say, the sneakers are not guaranteed to look as shown in the mock-ups. The real sneakers will not be made until August or later. No returns, no guarantees. Ha."

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Reply
8. B K
"Can’t wait to see the garbage that people will get for $400, what fools"

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9. PhiltheMachinist
"Put some taps on those shoes and tell the black folk to get to dancin'."

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10.  Think Please
"This seems at least a little be like a racial stereotype, don't you think?"

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11. Evelyn Bain
"They think a pair of extremely overpriced hideously ugly sneakers is going to make up for his lifetime of racist comments and actions?"

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12. JA hudgens
" How They   Still See Us"
-snip-
This comment has a poster attached to it. The poster shows a Black man playing a banjo as depicted in the late 19th century minstrel period. The poster also has the words “Oh Dem Golden Slippers".

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13. Delvon Ramirez
"There you have it, folks, proof that racists at Fox see Black Americans as "they." They don't see Black Americans as "us" in this country. SMH."

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12. Delvon Ramirez
"The idiotic shoes win ridicule for Trump from any demographic."

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13. undrgrnd girl
"african american connoisseurs of sneakers aren't fooled by trumps racist ploy or his poorly made shoes that don't seem to even exist yet."

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14. Clyde A Armstrong II
"Anybody willing to throw down 400 bucks for trashy sneakers proves how well the economy is actually doing. Thanks, Joe!"
-snip-
"Joe"= United States President Joe Biden

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15. Anastasia Beaverhousen
" "So when you have Trump roll out his sneaker line, they’re like, ‘Wait a minute, this is cool,’” he continued. “He’s reaching them on a level that defies and is above politics...”

 

This has got to be one of the most racist and simultaneously ridiculous things I've ever heard anyone say. And that's saying a lot.

Wow."

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16. Tom Lloyd
"The shoes look like part of a clown costume which is fitting for Republicans."

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17. James Herrick
"Let them wear sneakers. Imperious condescension worthy of the plantation."

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18. victor lawrence
"Just wait till Trump Chicken & Waffles opens in the hood."

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19. ch ga
"Ya can't make this stuff up"

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20. victor lawrence
"Trump was on QVC selling MAGA-ritas, in an effort to attract Latinos..."

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21. carl schnur
"Trump made it ok to say outrageous and racist things."

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Reply
22. Stephen Stafford
"No. That is never okay.

 

Trump does nothing to copy or emulate."

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23. Matt Mason
"Naturally Fox Noise go straight for the racist jugular..."
-snip-
Attached to this comment is a photo that looks like the Mad Magazine icon. The photo has the words

“CONGRATES!!
YOU’VE UNLOCKED THE NEXT LEVEL OF STUPID!"

**
24. Deanna Perkins
"I mean, really? Not even trying to hide their racism anymore, huh? Ignorant jerks!"

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