Jared Kushner Says ‘Complaining’ Black Americans Must ‘Want To Be Successful’

Jared Kushner, son-in-law and top adviser to Trump, faces criticism on Monday about comments made during an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”

“One thing we’ve seen in a lot of the Black community, which is mostly Democrat, is that President Trump’s policies are the policies that can help people break out of the problems that they’re complaining about,” Kushner said during his appearance. “But he can’t want them to be successful more than they want to be successful.”

The White House aide’s controversial comments came in response to a question about a meeting with rapper Ice Cube on Trump’s Platinum Plan for Black America.

The plan aims to win over the Black vote, something Trump has struggled with this election cycle. In a recent New York Times-Siena poll, 90 percent of Black respondents said they had already or intended to vote for Biden, compared to just 4 percent for Trump. Republicans historically have a harder time garnering votes within the Black community.

The comments are telling of how the administration really feels about Black Americans. An administration that has repeatedly been called racist, which they’ve denied.

Trump has touted record-low unemployment rates, prison reform, record HBCU funding, and higher wages amongst Black Americans during this election cycle to appeal to Black voters.

These comments come just eight days before the presidential election when his father in law is grasping for last-minute votes. Nationwide polls consistently show Trump is trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

The backlash was so swift, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany issued a statement to the Hill denouncing “internet trolls” serving up criticism.

“It’s disgusting to see internet trolls taking Senior Advisor Jared Kushner out of context as they try to distract from President Trump’s undeniable record of accomplishment for the Black community,” McEnany’s statement said.

WATCH: Jared Kushner implies many Black Americans do not “want to be successful.” pic.twitter.com/QolVpNFxPP

— DNC War Room (@DNCWarRoom) October 26, 2020