On Monday night, a CNN debate took a fiery turn when political strategists discussed former President Donald Trump’s appeal across different ethnic groups.

The discussion quickly spiraled into a heated argument, centering on claims of Trump’s support being tied to white supremacy.

The debate, which aired on “NewsNight” with anchor Abby Phillip, highlighted growing tensions surrounding Trump’s increasing appeal, not just among white voters, but also among minority groups, much to the surprise of Democratic strategist Keith Boykin.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Republican David Urban sparked the conversation by acknowledging Trump’s flaws but stressing that the former president remains a formidable political force, largely due to the perceived failures of the current administration.

Urban remarked, “He may be president again because that’s how terrible this administration is. That’s how terrible they are!”

This sentiment reflects a common frustration among conservatives who believe that the Biden administration’s policies, particularly on economic and social issues, have left the country in a precarious state.

Boykin, however, sharply disagreed, expressing frustration that Trump remains popular.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“He’s in a dead heat because of white people,” he said, implying that Trump’s base consists primarily of white voters.

While it’s true that Trump garnered substantial support from white voters in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, Boykin’s argument glosses over the growing trend of support Trump has seen among minority groups, particularly Black men and Hispanics which has been sharply on the rise.

Urban seized on this point, challenging Boykin’s narrative and emphasizing that Trump’s appeal is broader than simply white voters.

“He’s clearly growing support with Black men and Hispanics,” Urban asserted, pushing back on the idea that Trump’s base is limited to white Americans.

This is a critical point for conservatives who see Trump’s diverse support base as evidence that his policies resonate with more than just white Americans.

The notion that Trump’s policies—on issues like jobs, immigration, and law enforcement—are attracting more minority voters suggests that many Americans, across racial and ethnic lines, see his leadership as a preferable alternative to the current administration.

Claims that Trump’s support is tied exclusively to “white dominance” or “white supremacy” undermine the nuanced realities of his growing popularity in minority communities and quite frankly are false when you look at all of the latest polls.

Recently Don Lemon took to the street to ask black voters who they were voting for an he didn’t quite get the response he thought he would get.

Boykin’s insistence that Trump’s support is solely about race sparked a heated exchange, with him claiming that Trump “protects and projects the idea of protecting white supremacy.”

Urban rejected this outright, calling it “crazy” and “delusional.” This is a common accusation from Trump critics, but it fails to account for the fact that many Americans, including minority voters, support Trump because they feel his policies benefit their economic and social standing.

Phillip herself pointed out that Trump has made gains with Black voters, a fact Boykin refused to acknowledge. Urban and Phillip both cited data showing that Trump’s support among Black voters has grown since 2016, though Boykin continued to dismiss this claim.

The back-and-forth between Boykin and Urban reflects a broader struggle within the Democratic Party to understand why Trump’s appeal extends beyond traditional conservative demographics.

While some analysts focus on race and accusations of white supremacy, others—particularly those on the right—believe Trump’s growing popularity among minorities signals dissatisfaction with the current administration’s policies, particularly on issues of economic stability, crime, and immigration.

For many conservatives, the debate over Trump’s support underscores a critical failure in the mainstream media’s portrayal of Trump voters.

The narrative that Trump’s base is motivated by racism or white supremacy ignores the fact that many voters are drawn to him because of his stances on issues like job creation, border security, and law and order—issues that resonate with Americans across the racial spectrum.

In the end, this fiery debate on CNN illustrates the deep divides in how Americans view Trump’s popularity.

While some, like Boykin, see his support as rooted in race, others, like Urban, argue that Trump’s appeal is much broader, encompassing a wide range of Americans who feel left behind by the current administration’s policies.

WATCH THE VIDEO:

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.