'I can only see the Black ones': Trump confuses CNN panel with comment at Black event
Blinded by the lights while gazing into the crowd assembled as part of Friday night's Black Conservative Federation Gala to hear him speak, former President Donald Trump tried to say he truly sees black people.
"These lights are so bright in my eyes that — I can't see too many people out there," he chafed. "But I can only see the black ones. I can't see any white ones. You see."
The attendees in the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center erupted in applause.
ALSO READ: How Donald Trump is spreading a dangerous mental illness to his supporters
"That's how far I've come; that's how far I've come. That's a long, that's a long way — these eyes; we've come a long way together."
His blind spell had one CNN commentator Ashley Etienne anticipating that he would start tossing some of his $399 "Never Surrender" high-tops into the crowd as a bonus.
"I was waiting for him to throw gold sneakers into the audience," said Etienne, the former Deputy Press Secretary to the Vice President Kamala Harris.
The 45th president also labeled President Joe Biden a "racist."
"Joe Biden is a racist," he said. "Unlike racist Joe Biden, I've spent my entire life working hand-in-hand with black Americans to create jobs, build buildings invest in our communities."
"I want to tell you a black worker is a great worker."
CNN's Abby Phillip corrected Trump, noting that his past has been spotty with regard to Black Americans.
"Let's put aside treating Black people like a monolith, which he did over and over again — Donald Trump's career has been marked by a detailed history of racism," she said. "He was sued in the 1970s for housing discrimination based on race. He settled that suit."
She also was taken aback by his pitch to win over Black voters by seemingly trying to equate his multiple indictments to him being "simpatico with Black people."