Listen to this article
Download AudioTrump’s Low IQ Racism: Black Women on His List
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
Support African Elements at patreon.com/africanelements and hear recent news in a single playlist. Additionally, you can gain early access to ad-free video content.
When we hear the term “low IQ” thrown around in politics, especially by figures like Donald Trump, it’s not just a random insult. For Black women in politics and media, this phrase carries a heavy weight, echoing centuries of racist stereotypes. It’s a deliberate attempt to undermine their intelligence and competence, a tactic that has unfortunately found a recurring spot in Trump’s playbook. This isn’t just about harsh political talk; it’s about understanding the impact of words that are deeply rooted in a painful history for Black communities.
Trump’s “Low IQ” Attacks: A Pattern of Disrespect
Donald Trump has repeatedly used the term “low IQ” to attack Black women, a disturbing pattern that many see as more than just political mudslinging. For instance, Vice President Kamala Harris has been a frequent target. Trump has called her “slow” and “lazy as hell,” terms that tap into old, ugly stereotypes about Black Americans’ work ethic and intelligence (WHYY.org). He didn’t stop there; during a 2024 rally, Trump explicitly referred to Harris as a “very low IQ individual.” This wasn’t an isolated incident, as he has used similar language against other Black women, such as Representative Jasmine Crockett (Democratic Underground).
The attacks extend further back, too. In 2018, Trump labeled Representative Maxine Waters an “extraordinarily low IQ person” (WGBH News, CPR News). This consistent use of “low IQ” specifically against Black women in positions of power or public visibility suggests a troubling trend. It’s a way of dismissing their achievements and capabilities, reducing them to a demeaning caricature. Consequently, these aren’t just insults; they are targeted verbal assaults that resonate with a history of trying to silence and belittle Black voices, particularly those of Black women who dare to challenge the status quo.
Trump’s Remarks Targeting Black Women
Echoes of History: Trump’s “Low IQ” and Racist Tropes
Trump’s choice of words, particularly “low IQ” and “lazy,” isn’t happening in a vacuum. These terms are deeply connected to **”racist tropes”**, which are recurring stereotypes or narrative patterns that dehumanize racial groups. These tropes are often rooted in historical injustices like slavery and systemic oppression, perpetuating harmful myths such as Black inferiority or laziness. The National Museum of African American History and Culture points out that stereotypes like “laziness” were specifically used to justify slavery and ongoing systemic racism (WHYY.org). For example, tropes like “the jezebel” for Black women and “the brute” for Black men originated during slavery to excuse exploitation and violence.
Scholars like Ian Haney López, known for his work on “dog whistle politics,” argue that Trump’s language taps into these deep-seated racial stereotypes to dehumanize Black Americans (WGBH News, CPR News). “Dog whistle politics” refers to using coded language that communicates a specific message to a target audience, often racial, without being overtly racist, thus allowing deniability. Moreover, Trump’s history, including a 1970s housing discrimination lawsuit and his inflammatory comments about the Central Park Five, shows a decades-long pattern of racially charged rhetoric (Wikipedia). This rhetoric reinforces **systemic racism**—institutionalized discrimination embedded in laws and practices—by shaping public attitudes and even policies.
Understanding Racist Tropes
“Racist tropes” are recurring stereotypes or narrative patterns that dehumanize racial groups. They are often rooted in historical injustices like slavery and systemic oppression. These tropes perpetuate harmful myths about marginalized communities, such as the false narrative of Black inferiority or laziness. For example, stereotypes like “the jezebel” (for Black women) and “the brute” (for Black men) originated during slavery to justify exploitation and violence. These tropes reinforce systemic racism by shaping policies, media portrayals, and public attitudes.
Black Women Disproportionately Targeted by Trump Attacks
It’s clear that Black women, especially those in journalism and politics, find themselves disproportionately in Trump’s crosshairs. He has a history of labeling questions from Black female journalists like Yamiche Alcindor and Abby Phillip as “racist” or “stupid” (WGBH News). These critiques often carry undertones of **racialized sexism**, which is the specific form of discrimination Black women face due to the intersection of their race and gender. This can manifest as portraying Black women as inherently aggressive, overly emotional, or unintelligent, all while denying their agency and professionalism.
Representative Jasmine Crockett hit back at Trump’s “low IQ” remarks, suggesting his attacks stem from a fear of “smart, bold Black women” (Democratic Underground). Her comment highlights how these insults are often perceived as attempts to intimidate and silence powerful Black female voices. Furthermore, Trump’s 2018 attacks on Omarosa Manigault Newman, where he called her a “dog,” are another stark example (WGBH News, CPR News). This type of **dehumanizing rhetoric**—framing marginalized groups as subhuman—serves to justify discrimination and strip individuals of their dignity. Historically, such language was used in antebellum propaganda to dehumanize enslaved people.
Trump’s Low Approval Among Black Voters Amidst Racial Remarks
Given this backdrop of racially charged comments, it’s not surprising that Donald Trump’s approval among Black Americans has remained critically low. For example, a 2018 ABC/Washington Post poll showed Trump’s approval rating with Black voters at a mere 3% (WGBH News, CPR News). This low number reflects a deep disconnect and distrust rooted in his rhetoric and policies, which many in the Black community view as harmful and divisive. The consistent attacks on prominent Black figures, especially women, do little to bridge this gap.
Some critics also argue that Trump’s occasional focus on Black unemployment rates is a **”performative tactic.”** This means it’s seen as a superficial gesture designed to signal concern or appeal to certain voter demographics, particularly white voters, without actually addressing the deep-seated systemic issues that cause economic disparities (WGBH News, CPR News). For example, touting employment statistics often ignores the fact that Black unemployment consistently remains about double that of white unemployment due to ongoing labor market discrimination and structural barriers. Therefore, such claims can feel hollow to those experiencing these persistent inequalities firsthand.
Trump’s Approval Among Black Voters (2018)
Amplifying Hate: Trump Allies and Racist Rally Rhetoric
The issue isn’t confined to Trump alone; his allies often echo and sometimes even escalate this type of racially charged language. At a 2024 rally in Madison Square Garden, for example, Tucker Carlson referred to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian descent, as “Samoan-Malaysian” and also called her a “low IQ individual” (The Times of Israel, Firstpost America). This misrepresentation of her heritage, combined with the familiar “low IQ” insult, is seen by many as a deliberate attempt to “other” her and delegitimize her American identity alongside her intellect.
The same event featured comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who reportedly made racist jokes targeting Puerto Ricans and other groups (UH Hilo Ke Kalahea). Such occurrences at campaign events create an environment where prejudice can feel normalized or even celebrated. This amplification of hateful rhetoric by allies is particularly concerning because it helps to spread these divisive messages to a wider audience. Consequently, it contributes to a political climate where open expressions of racism become more permissible, further alienating and harming marginalized communities.
The repeated use of terms like “low IQ” against Black women by Donald Trump and his associates is more than just political sparring. It’s a harmful echo of historical racist stereotypes intended to dehumanize and undermine. This rhetoric has a real impact on how Black women are perceived and treated, both in public life and beyond. Understanding the roots and implications of these attacks is crucial for our community as we navigate a complex political landscape and continue to fight for respect and equality. Ultimately, these words are a reminder of the ongoing struggle against systemic racism and the need for vigilance in calling out such demeaning language.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
