Security Officer in Texas Quits After Supervisor Calls ‘Every Bit’ Of Attack His Fault
And a news crew captured the whole thing.
An Austin, Texas, security officer was seen on video being attacked while on duty, a situation that prompted him to publicly quit his job after his supervisor said “every bit” of it was fault.
What started as a normal evening shift with Priebe Security for Percy Payne quickly took a turn for the worse when two men, Hispanic males believed to be between ages 17 and 20, were shown on surveillance video attempting to break into his personal vehicle at an office building.
After approaching the men, whom he noted were both on electric scooters, Payne said the suspects fled. However, when he followed and attempted to detain them, things got violent
“A young individual tried to run me over with his scooter multiple times,” the Austin security officer told FOX 7 Austin. “And then that’s when they started to assault.” He added that one of the men had a screwdriver in his pocket. Once he realized they were going to try to stab him, he ran to call 911.
Payne got a dispatcher on the line. After declining medical attention from EMS, he said the woman informed him that officers would not be dispatched to the location.
“Even though I told her I had been assaulted, she told me, ‘We will not be sending police officers out there because they did not steal your car,’” Payne recalled. “And that is when I hung up.”
During his second attempt, the new operator apologized, and when an officer arrived roughly an hour after the call, Payne reported that he was helpful. Currently, the incident is being “investigated as an aggravated assault,” according to FOX 7.
The Austin Police Department (APD) confirmed that both 911 calls were handled properly according to protocol. The department noted that an officer was not offered to come to the scene because it did not meet key criteria, including having the suspects on the scene, necessary medical attention from an EMS crew, or a stolen vehicle to dispatch someone to the location.
As Payne was interviewed by FOX 7, his supervisor walked up to him and asked to stop participating in the interview during his shift.
Payne received backlash from his job for conducting an interview with the outlet in uniform during a shift, which his supervisor confirmed was against company policy. After an argument ensued between the two, he quit his job.
Additionally, the supervisor said that “every bit” of what happened to Payne was his fault.
“The fact that my supervisor basically told me it was my fault that I got assaulted,” he explained, “that let me know all that I needed to know.”
A representative for Priebe Security said the company is “in the process of gathering details. We have been made aware of it and are looking into the situation.
Historic First for Second-Round Pick: Los Angeles Lakers Select Bronny James, Now Teammates with Legendary Dad
Lakers used the 55th pick of the NBA Draft to fulfill LeBron James' longtime wish.
With this being billed as the least exciting NBA Draft, the major news to come out of it was that the Los Angeles Lakers fulfilled a wish for their star player LeBron James, who had been talking about for years about playing with his firstborn child, Bronny James.
The team used its second-round pick, the 55th pick of the draft, on Bronny James, paving the way for the Lakers to have the first father-son duo play together in NBA history.
While the NBA has seen brothers like Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas Antetokounmpo, and Lonzo and LaMelo Ball play simultaneously, and second-generation stars like Dell Curry’s sons, Seth and Steph, and Mychal Thompson’s son, Klay, even a father-son coaching duo with Doc and Austin Rivers, this marks the first time a father and son could play in the league together and potentially on the same team if LeBron James signs an extension with the Lakers.
LeBron James and Bronny James become the first father and son duo to be in the NBA at the same time.
This has happened in Major League Baseball with the father-son duo of Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. The National Hockey League saw Gordie Howe and his sons playing at the same time.
The man who facilitated the Lakers’ move, general manager Rob Pelinka, said, “NBA history could be made next season, and should be made in a Lakers uniform.”
Although Bronny had a dismal freshman season at the University of Southern California, with a weak draft, he declared after averaging 4.8 points, 36% shooting, and 2.8 rebounds in limited minutes.
“He is a person of high character and someone who works incredibly hard,” said Pelinka. “He has the quality we look for in drafting players and adding to our development (program).”
When the season begins, if LeBron is still with the Lakers, and Bronny joins him on the court, it will mark another milestone in LeBron’s amazing career and in NBA history.
2 Chainz Sets Up Smoothie King Kiosk In Partnership With Atlanta’s State Farm Arena
'Opening a Smoothie King in State Farm Arena felt like the right move for me. Throughout my health journey, I've been mindful of my choices,' said the rapper.
College Park, Ga., native Tauheed Epps, known by his rapper alias 2 Chainz is now a franchise owner of a Smoothie King.
According to a press release from the Atlanta Hawks, their official smoothie partner, Smoothie King, announced that the popular recording artist is its newest franchisee. The entertainer just launched a new kiosk on June 26 in State Farm Arena, just in time for the Atlanta Hawks NBA Draft Party.
“I visit Smoothie King at least twice a week, so this partnership has been a long time coming,” said 2 Chainz in a written statement. “Opening a Smoothie King in State Farm Arena felt like the right move for me. Throughout my health journey, I’ve been mindful of my choices, and when I go to games and events it’s no different – I’m always looking for nutritious options, and Smoothie King is in a class of its own when it comes to delicious smoothies with no added sugar. I’m proud to join the brand.”
Smoothie King has been in business with the Hawks since 2023.
The company has a Clean Blends initiative that fits 2 Chainz’s health journey. Smoothie King’s menu will only use whole fruits and veggies, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and zero grams of added sugar in the items consumers choose. They will also offer Smoothie Bowls.
“As we continue to expand, we’re thrilled to welcome 2 Chainz to our franchisee family—not to mention in collaboration with one of our great partners in the Atlanta Hawks,” said Wan Kim, Smoothie King CEO. “2 Chainz’s passion for health and wellness aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire a healthy and active lifestyle; that coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit embodies the essence of our brand and makes this a perfect match.”
Fans will be able to choose from a variety of Smoothie King’s most popular blends. Options include Angel Food, Gladiator Vanilla, Caribbean Way, and more.
Mary J. Blige’s ‘The Mary Boot’ Is Back In Stock, But Going Fast!
If you missed out on the first drop of "The Mary Boot," this is your chance to get your hands on a pair during the restock.
Thanks to a demand from Mary J. Blige’s fans, the singer’s “The Mary Boot” is back in stock.
On June 26, the “My Life” singer took to her Instagram page to share the exciting news with followers and encourage them to snag the once-sold-out shoe from the link in her bio. Blown away by the reaction to the first drop earlier this year, she shouted out fans for showing up and showing out when the item was unveiled.
As of Friday, the Guiseppe Zanotti website still shows the boot available in a few sizes, marked with the same price tag from its initial launch.
The Mary Boot “encapsulates the unique and celebrated styles” of Zanotti and Mary J. Statement boots have long been associated as a signature of Mary’s style, and through this collaboration, using striking and innovative design, fine materials, and attention to detail, the two have come together to make the Must-Have style of the season,” the designer’s website describes.
The signature boot, made in Italy, was inspired by the singer for her Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit and designed with a leather sole and 105 mm heel. As previously covered by BE, The Queen of Hip-Hop soul debuted her boot collaboration with Italian luxury footwear and fashion designer Guiseppe Zanotti in May, and even though fans gasped at the high $1,295 price tag, they flocked to purchase the over-the-knee, rose gold boot after Mary J. dazzled the crowd with a pair of the show-stopping metallic boots during her third Strength of a Woman extravaganza in New York City.
“Mary J. Blige boot is officially in the universe,” she announced at the time. “Everybody’s been requesting it, asking for it.”
Giuseppe Zanotti and Mary J. Blige have transformed their longtime friendship into an exclusive, limited-edition collaboration. Introducing “The Mary Boot”, a stunning over-the-knee boot co-designed by the two talents. Discover more https://t.co/jaQ9Lo5mz1#GZXMJB@maryjbligepic.twitter.com/qebKlNnUeA
— Giuseppe Zanotti (@giuseppezanotti) May 13, 2024
This second drop has Mary fans as hyped up as the first time around. Since the recent Instagram announcement, followers and celebrities have flooded the comments to congratulate the actress and express their excitement.
Donald Trump Calls Into Black Business Roundtable Discussion To Celebrate Support Of Black Voters From His Mug Shot
Trump bragged he has the 'number one mug shot of all time.'
Former President Donald Trump called into a business roundtable discussion to thank Black voters for their support since the release of his mug shot photo.
The event was hosted at a barbershop in Atlanta on June 26 prior to the highly anticipated debate between Trump and President Joe Biden on June 27. Organized by the Trump campaign, the Black American Business Leaders Barbershop Roundtable discussion at Rocky’s Barbershop featured a number of GOP allies including former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson, and Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Wesley Hunt (R-Texas).
During the discussion, the indicted businessman called in to answer questions over the phone and jumped to highlight the increase of Black voter support since the release of his mugshot, claiming it as the “number one mug shot of all time.” “Since this has happened…the mug shot…the mug shot is the best…it beat Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra by a lot by the way…the number one mug shot of all time. It’s really an amazing thing. Since it happened, the support among the Black community and the Hispanic community has skyrocketed,” he said as Donalds held the phone.
“It’s been amazing. Really been amazing. It’s been actually very nice to see. In one way you say, ‘Gee it’s not too bad’ but the truth is, it’s really a lovely thing when I see that.”
Convicted criminal Donald Trump says Black people are supporting him because we love his mug shot. pic.twitter.com/UAxHf8P0Im
Atlanta area business owners and community leaders also participated in the event, including talk show radio host Shelley Wynter; co-owner, of Community Westside Market, Latron Price; commercial and residential real estate property owner, Eric Girault; Helping Empower Youth co-founder, Marc “KD” Boyd; and Daniel Ray, co-owner of Ray’s Southern Foods.
Viewers of the video expressed disappointment in the group’s participation. Co-founder of the The Seneca Project, Tara Setmayer, called the discussion “offensive and embarrassing.” “Every one of those fools should be ashamed of themselves,” she said on X.
The panelists discussed a number of topics pertinent to securing the White House in November, including attacks on some policies administered by the Biden Administration. According to Fox 5 Atlanta, the Trump campaign argued that Biden’s economic policies have set the Black community back, leaving them left with “Bidenflation,” disproportionately affecting Black households.
During the phone call, Trump highlighted his “No Tax on Tips” policy, targeting hospitality workers by exempting their tips from taxation. “I just came up with the concept of ‘No Tax on Tips’ – let the people earn what they earn,” Trump said.
Former Tennessee Top Cop, Celeste Murphy, Faces 17-Count Indictment A Day After Resigning
The ex-police chief reportedly entered false information on several government documents related to establishing residency in Chattanooga.
After reportedly falsifying documents, former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy has been confronted with a 17-count indictment, comprising 14 felony and three misdemeanor charges, just a day after stepping down from her position.
Murphy, under investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation since April, faces perjury, official misconduct, unlawful voter registration, and falsification of official documents.
According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, these charges include lying under oath, misusing her position, and fudging official paperwork.
The issue revolves around Murphy’s residency status. “During the investigation, agents determined Murphy knowingly entered false information on several government documents related to establishing residency in Chattanooga, though swearing to their truth in signing the documents,” the TBI said.
The discrepancy became apparent when her Tennessee voter registration clashed with a property tax exemption she claimed in Fulton County, Georgia.
In 2020, Murphy planted her flag in Fulton County, snagging a homestead exemption. When whispers of Murphy’s dual-state dilemma hit the streets in March, she vowed to straighten things out. However, records revealed the former authority was still receiving her Georgia tax break.
Murphy’s predicament is further complicated by Chattanooga’s charter and her own contract, both of which mandated her residence in Tennessee. Tennessee’s Secretary of State notes, “A person can have only one residence.”
The indictment explicitly mentions her voter registration form, driver’s license application, and a residency affidavit from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security as documents containing allegedly false information. Her first voter registration form listed two Chattanooga addresses, one where neighbors claimed they never saw her and another owned by a police sergeant’s family who stated she never resided there. Following the first reports, Murphy allegedly pivoted, updating her registration to a Southside apartment. Reports reveal Murphy has yet to vote in Hamilton County.
Following her resignation, Murphy surrendered herself to authorities at the Hamilton County Jail. She was released on a $19,000 aggregate bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 12. Murphy, who made history as Chattanooga’s first female police chief in 2022, will receive a severance package of approximately $44,400.
In her absence, Executive Chief Harry Sommers will temporarily lead the department. As for finding Murphy’s successor, the torch has been passed to Chattanooga City Council member Raquetta Dotley, who will lead a search committee for the next chief.
Grab Your Tissues: Stuart Scott’s Daughters And SportsCenter’s Scott Van Pelt Share Touching Tribute On 10th Anniversary Of The Late ESPN Host’s Iconic ESPY Speech
ESPN treasure Stuart Scott was honored by his daughters, Taelor and Sydni, alongside former SportsCenter co-host.
Grab your tissues, a touching moment shared between the daughters of the late ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott and former ESPN SportsCenter co-host Scott Van Pelt might give you all the feels.
During a special SportsCenter segmen, Scott’s daughters Taelor and Sydni joined Van Pelt virtually to discuss the 10th anniversary of Scott’s renowned speech during the 2014 ESPYs where he openly talked about his ongoing battle with cancer. Now, a decade later, his daughters joined the popular show to not only discuss the historical moment but shed light on the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, dedicated to their father following his passing on Jan. 4, 2015. His cause of death was from appendiceal cancer.
Founded by ESPN and popular basketball coach Jim Valvano, the V Foundation has been on a mission to achieve Victory Over Cancer since its 1993 inception. After Scott’s death, his family launched the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund to continue championing cancer research, a cause near to Scott’s heart. He was “especially driven to improve outcomes for African Americans and underserved communities disproportionately affected by the disease,” according to the organization’s website.
During the interview with their father’s former SportsCenter co-host, Scott’s daughters were shocked to learn that an anonymous donor has pledged to match up to $75,000 in donations leading up to the 2024 ESPYs, which are set to air live on July 11.
“I don’t have any words,” said Taelor. “It’s life-changing.” All three of them fought back tears for the remainder of the episode and Van Pelt admitted that he had been praying all day asking the Lord not to let him “cry on television.”
In honor of the 10th anniversary of Stuart Scott’s ESPYS speech, Scott Van Pelt was joined by Stuart Scott's daughters Taelor and Sydni.
“It’s life-changing and future-preserving,” Sydni chimed in. “Taelor and I … we talk about this a lot that it is stunning, it’s amazing to meet families who are … a part of one of the worst clubs in the world.”
As if fighting back tears wasn’t hard enough for the trio whose close relationship with Scott was evident, Van Pelt took a moment to shower the girls with love and remind them of how proud their father would be of them if he was still with us today.
“Your dad loved North Carolina, everybody knew that,” said Van Pelt as he continued to try not to burst into tears on national television. “But there’s nothing in the world that he loved more than his little girls and I’m sitting here looking at the grown women you’ve become and he’d be so proud, and he is so proud and so are all of us at ESPN who love you from afar.”
He added, “This was really, really cool that I got to do this and I don’t care that this is where It ends up (Van Pelt lost his fight with the tear ducts). Taelor and Sydni, it’s so good to see you guys.”
Diagnosed with cancer in 2007, Scott ultimately was given the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2014 ESPYs Awards, delivering a heartfelt speech that has continued to stand the test of time.
“When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer,” said Scott at the time. “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live.”
“The best thing I have ever done, the best thing I will ever do, is be a dad to Taelor and Sydni. It’s true. I can’t ever give up because I can’t leave my daughters. Yes, sometimes I embarrass them,” said Scott. “Sometimes, they think I’m a tyrant. That’s a direct quote. There is an adjective that describes tyrant too, but I’m not gonna go there. But Taelor and Sydni, I love you guys more than I will ever be able to express. You two are my heartbeat. I am standing on this stage here tonight because of you.”
Scott died less than a year after delivering the speech at age 49.
Stuart Scott single-handedly changed the approach to sports news when he joined ESPN in 1993. Revered for his witty catchphrases and coining the term, “boo-ya!,” the Chicago native didn’t follow the traditional rules of sports reporting and while some people didn’t like it, there were more people who did because no matter what, Scott showed up as his authentic self.
How A Second-Generation Combat Veteran Uses His Clothing Brand To Honor A Fallen Soldier And Inspire Personal Empowerment
Harrison Lewis is on a mission to empower Black youth and veterans through his GRND clothing brand.
From second-generation combat veteran to entrepreneur and soon-to-be physical therapist, Harrison Lewis is on a mission to inspire others to give life their all through his clothing brand, GRND.
After his dreams of becoming a pro athlete fell short, Lewis joined the military. His love for athletics never went away. As a child, he played sports and it followed him well into his adult years. Whether it was keeping up with the habit during his time in the services or now, as he completes his doctorate candidate to become a physical therapist, for him, ball is life and the grind to become the best version of himself never stops.
“GRND is more than a clothing brand, it’s an emotion we all feel, each and every day, as we sacrifice for your families, our communities, and our why, Lewis told BLACK ENTERPRISE via email. “Our mission is simple, to give 100% and then some, in all we do, not only on the field and in the gym, but also in life.”
Inspired by his late comrade, Captain Connor Bendarzyk, who was killed during a training incident in preparation for deployment while serving together in the 75th Ranger Regiment, Lewis says GRND is a way to encourage people to use losses to push them to go harder.
“I think it’s important to carry the reflections of our loved ones forward and draw inspiration from the impact they have made on the world,” Lewis, a combat veteran, explains. The GRND collection currently features unisex t-shirts with motivational quotes like “Stand On It” and “100%.”
For Lewis, his desire to change things for the better is way greater than just taking up space in the athletic wear industry. GRND, he notes, is not just about clothes.
“It’s the feeling we all get when our alarm goes off at 5 a.m. and we know we have to get up and go get it for our family,” he says. “It’s why there isn’t an ‘I’ in GRND. We’ve never done the things we have to do for ourselves, because there’s always a greater reason for our efforts. Whether you are a nurse on a 13-hour shift, a soldier in the field preparing for a deployment, or an athlete trying to make the team, you are the GRND, and you know what it means to give 100% and then some.”
Lewis’ grindcontinues as he works toward his doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.
It is all part of his grander scheme to launch a state-of-the-art training facility to not only equip Black youth and veterans with access to strength and conditioning programs, but to provide those facing mental health illnesses with the support that they need to keep pressing forward. Lewis faced bouts of anxiety and depression after leaving the military.
“As a physical therapist, my dream is to treat young Black athletes who don’t have access to sports rehab,” he explained. “As a kid from a small town in Louisiana, when we got injured playing sports, we just rubbed some dirt on it. I want to provide critical and necessary access to care our youth need so they can continue to GRND towards their dreams.”
Lewis is on the last leg of his clinical rotations and has plans to earn his doctorate in May 2025.
As It Turns Out, Donald Trump’s ‘Black Jobs’ Are Really White Jobs
Trump’s unserious and questionable “Black jobs” commentary happened during the presidential debate held in Atlanta June 27.
As the unemployment rate rose from 3.7% to 4% in one year for a plethora of reasons, Donald Trump audaciously lambasted President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, claiming that they took away “Black jobs.” The Black delegation’s social media response to the former commander-in-chief’s ludicrous claim ranged from confusion to trolling.
Trump’s unserious and questionable “Black jobs” commentary happened during the presidential debate held in Atlanta on June 27.
The convicted felon claimed that Biden’s relaxed immigration policies were “allowing millions to enter the borders,” and they were taking “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs.”
“The fact is– his big kill on the Black people is the millions of people he’s allowed to come in through the borders. They’re taking Black jobs, and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people. They’re taking Black jobs and Hispanic jobs. And you haven’t even seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.”
Although Trump didn’t specifically explain what jobs were considered “Black jobs,” a 2022 study on domestic workers revealed that 90% of those employees are women and 65% of the demographic is U.S.-born. Studies and any type of fact-checked information appear to evade the former president, but the Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) study also revealed that white women make up 42% of the domestic worker population, followed by 28% of Hispanic workers, and Black folks were at 21%. In other words, immigration policies didn’t actually have an impact on jobs white women were doing.
Immediately, Black X users responded. Here are the best tweets.
First Biden-Trump Debate Highlights Voters’ Concerns as Biden Struggles
Last night’s highly anticipated presidential debate underscored the problems with President Joe Biden.
Last night’shighly anticipated presidential debate underscored the problems withPresident Joe Biden,whose “shocking performance” raised questions about the incumbent’s viability in a rematch with Republican challenger former presidentDonald Trump.
While his camp said that he was suffering from a cold, in assessing the first presidential debate of the 2024 presidential campaign, political analysts believed Biden was “unable to make the case for his administration and shut downTrump”on issues ranging from the state of the economy to abortion rights.In fact, the headlines this morning asked whether the Democrats should decide whether to look for another candidate.
Biden was also unable to put to rest major criticisms regarding his age nor offer rebuttals onTrump’s“inaccuracies,” as polls have shown, andhe refused to answer questions abouthis controversial track record in office.
Neither candidate fully addressed how their administrations would advance the future of African American voters,which is critical to the outcome of the November election.
Democrats are now scrambling to regroup just weeks before the nominating conventions for both parties and the election.
Moderated byCNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash,it was the first debate without a live audienceand with microphones muted when it was not the respective candidate’s turn to speak. These changes were implemented to foster a more organized and focused discussion, avoiding the disruptions seen in previous debates.
The following are highlights from the debate:
Tapper, opened the debate with a question on the economy, addressing Biden: “President Biden, inflation has slowed, but prices remain high. Since you took office, the cost of essentials has increased. For instance, a basket of groceries that costs $100 now costs over $120, and typical home prices have risen by more than 30%. What do you say to voters who feel they are worse off under your presidency than they were under President Trump?”
Biden responded by highlighting the state of the economy he inherited.
“We’ve got to take a look at what I was left when I became president, what Mr. Trump left me,” he said. “We had an economy that was in freefall. The pandemic was so badly handled. Many people were dying. All he said was it’s not that serious, just inject a little bleach in your arm. You’ll be all right.The economy collapsed. There were no jobs, and the unemployment rate rose to 15%. It was terrible.”
He also emphasized the actions taken to recover: “We created 15,000 new jobs and brought about 800,000 new manufacturing jobs. But there’s more to be done. Working-class people are still in trouble.”
Biden also outlined his plans to address housing and corporate greed: “We’re going to reduce housing prices by building 2 million new units and cap rents so corporate greed can’t take over. We were left with corporate greed as a major issue. By the time he (Trump) left the office, things were in chaos. We’ve put things back together, created those jobs, and made sure we brought down prescription drug prices, making insulin $15 per shot instead of $400. No senior will pay more than $200 for any drug starting next year.”
Trump countered by defending his economic record.
“We had the greatest economy in the history of our country,” he said. “We have never done so well. Every-everybody was amazed by it. Other countries were copying us.We got hit with COVID. And when we did, we spent the money necessary so we wouldn’t end up in a Great Depression, the likes of which we had in 1929.” Trump criticized Biden’s handling of the pandemic: “He created mandates that were a disaster for our country.”
Trump continued, “We never got credit for getting us out of the COVID mess. We did a great job and got a lot of credit for the economy, military, and avoiding wars.” Trump slammed Biden’s spending policies, arguing they have exacerbated rising prices. “They spent money like a bunch of people that didn’t know what they were doing,” Trump said.
Both candidates claimed their policies led to greater job growth and a stronger economy. But the exchange quickly descended into personal attacks as Biden accused Trump of misrepresenting facts and Trump criticized Biden’s leadership abilities. Their disagreements on economic policy highlighted fundamental differences in their approaches.
The debate took an even sharper turn when the discussion moved to abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Biden vowed to protect abortion access nationwide, calling it a decision that should be made between “a woman and her doctor.”
Trump applauded the new ruling. “This gives it the vote of the people, and that’s where they wanted,” he said. Harsh accusations were traded as each candidate alleged the other was distorting their position. Biden said he supported exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother, while Trump baselessly claimed Democrats support “killing the baby in the eighth month, the ninth month, and even after birth.” Their clash illustrated the irreconcilable divide on this issue between the two sides.
On immigration, Trump launched scathing attacks against Biden’s border policies, claiming they have allowed “killers” and “criminals” to freely enter the U.S. Biden forcefully rejected such allegations, emphasizing his commitment to reforming the system and treating migrants humanely. Their dispute underscored competing visions for how best to balance security and compassion.
The candidates unleashed withering critiques of each other’s records and character throughout the debate. At various points, Biden called Trump’s statements “foolishness,” while Trump slammed Biden’s leadership as “the worst in history.”
Biden and former Donald Trump dedicated a small portion of the debate to African American issues. Tapper asked, “What do you say to Black voters who feel they are worse off under your presidency than they were under President Trump?”
Biden highlighted the increase in small Black businesses, low Black unemployment, efforts to improve housing and reduce segregation, affordable childcare, a $10,000 tax credit for Black first-time home buyers, and pointed out student debt relief measures for Black individuals working in public service.
In response, Trump criticized Biden for causing inflation, claiming it harms Black and Hispanic families by increasing the cost of living. He argued that Biden’s policies, such as the Green New Deal, have damaged the economy. Trump also claimed that Biden’s immigration policies have resulted in job losses for Black and Hispanic Americans due to the influx of immigrants competing for jobs.
