Carl Baxter, a proud supporter of Donald Trump and president of the Republican Club of North & East Fort Myers, is suing the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) for what he alleges is racial discrimination and wrongful termination. Baxter, who is Black, claims that during his short tenure with the organization, he was subjected to racist remarks and unfair treatment.
Baxter, who is known for his unwavering support of Trump—frequently seen waving a MAGA flag at Trump events and donning a red MAGA hat—filed the lawsuit on Monday. The lawsuit describes Baxter as “an African-American businessman who is active in local politics.” His job involved canvassing neighborhoods to discuss policy issues selected by AFP. For this work, AFP agreed to pay him $20 an hour, plus mileage reimbursement.
According to the lawsuit, Baxter’s performance was “exemplary,” but he quickly grew disillusioned with the organization. The lawsuit alleges that AFP’s Deputy Director of Grassroots met with Baxter early in his employment and attempted to bribe him with $500 to dig up dirt on a local councilmember, Patty Cummings. Baxter refused the bribe, believing that AFP’s true goal was to undermine Trump’s chances in the 2024 presidential primaries and to oppose pro-Trump politicians locally.
Baxter also claimed that AFP was not paying him for all the hours he worked, nor for the doors he knocked on during his canvassing duties. On June 26, just 12 days into the job, he raised his concerns with his supervisor, AFP Grassroots Engagement Director Roxanne Buckels.
The lawsuit alleges that during this call, Buckels, who is white, made a racist remark, sarcastically referring to Baxter as a “slave” and asking, “Are you a slave?” Baxter was deeply offended and demanded to speak with Buckels’ supervisor. Shortly after, Baxter was fired in a conference call that included AFP’s state operations director, also a white woman, according to the lawsuit.
Baxter claims that AFP has yet to pay him the wages he is owed, nor has he been reimbursed for his mileage. He also alleges that white employees at AFP were paid without issue. The lawsuit accuses AFP of race discrimination, retaliation, and wage theft, and seeks back pay, legal fees, and damages for emotional pain and suffering.
