Woodward asked Trump if he tried to understand 'the anger and pain' of Black Americans. Trump mocked him.


President Trump pretty clearly wasn't among the scores of Americans who sent books on anti-racism and white "fragility" to the top of the best-seller lists after the documented police killing of George Floyd sparked a new evaluation of institutional and systemic racism in the U.S.
In a June 19 conversation with Trump, journalist Bob Woodward noted that he and the president come from "white, privileged" backgrounds, suggested that blinded them to the realities Black Americans face, and asked Trump if he was trying to "understand the anger and the pain, particularly, Black people feel in this country," Woodward reveals in his forthcoming book, Rage. "No," Trump replied, in a tone Woodward described as mocking and incredulous. "You really drank the Kool-Aid, didn't you? Just listen to you. Wow. No, I don't feel that at all." (You can listen to the audio of that exchange at The Washington Post.)
Trump instead pointed to the pre-pandemic jobless numbers for Black Americans and claimed to Woodward that he's done more for the Black community than any president since slave-emancipator Abraham Lincoln. On July 8, Trump told Woodward again he's "done a tremendous amount for the Black community," adding, "And, honestly, I'm not feeling any love."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But Trump isn't a total racism denialist, Woodward notes. In a June 22 chat, he asked Trump if he thinks "systematic or institutional racism in this country," Woodward writes, and Trump replied, "Well, I think there is everywhere," and "probably less here than most places," and the racism that does exist in the U.S. is "unfortunate."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
What are your retirement savings account options?
The explainer The two main types of accounts are 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs)
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
7 tranquil hotels worth the trek
The Week Recommends Find serenity off the beaten path
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
'From his election as pope in 2013, Francis sought to reform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Israel blames 'failures' for killing of medics
speed read 14 Gaza medics and 1 U.N. employee were killed by IDF special forces
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Russia removes the Taliban's terrorist designation as their connections grow
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
China accuses NSA of Winter Games cyberattacks
speed read China alleges that the U.S. National Security Agency launched cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Russian strike kills dozens in Ukraine
Speed Read The Sumy ballistic missile strike was Russia's deadliest attack on civilians this year
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
South Korea court removes impeached president
Speed Read The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol after his declaration of martial law in December
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Myanmar quake deaths rise as survivor search intensifies
speed read The magnitude-7.7 earthquake in central Myanmar has killed a documented 2,000 people so far, and left scores more trapped beneath rubble
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson