Supporters of President Donald Trump have flown into conniptions over Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s creation of a task force to study slavery reparations.
Johnson, a progressive mayor whose tenure has been marked with controversy, issued a news release announcing his decision this week, ahead of the observance of Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating when the final slaves held in Texas were notified of emancipation.
"This Task Force is an example of the Administration’s dedication to co-governance, and in partnership with members of the Aldermanic Black Caucus, the Mayor’s offices of Equity and Racial Justice and Business, Economic and Neighborhood Development, and other key City departments, will conduct a comprehensive study and examination of all policies that have harmed Black Chicagoans from the slavery era to present day and make a series of recommendations that will serve as appropriate remedies," said the mayor's news release.
His announcement enraged the MAGA sphere on X.
"JUST IN: Democrat Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is promoting a race-based government funding program in honor of Juneteenth. This is not legal," wrote far-right influencer Chaya "LibsOfTikTok" Raichik, tagging the Justice Department and Trump's civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon.
"JUST IN: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson just announced he will be handing race-based grants ONLY to blacks for 'slavery reparations,'" wrote far-right podcaster Nick Sortor. "This is straight up RACISM! Trump’s DOJ should shut this down NOW!"
"POS Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced he will be handing out race based grants to Blacks for reparations," wrote influencer "Gunther Eagleman." "This is blatant racism."
"The Juneteenth flag was unfurled today in Chicago, and @ChicagosMayor's racism was on full display," wrote "Chicago Contrarian." "Reparations and slavery featured prominently in his address. Johnson announced a $4M grant, based on race only, to blacks as a form of reparations. Johnson is a disgrace."