Michael ‘Harry-O’ Harris, the co-founder of Death Row Records, one of the most influential record labels in music history, has thrown his support behind former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. Harris, who received clemency from Trump during his first term, believes that Trump’s track record on issues affecting the Black community makes him the better choice compared to the current Biden-Harris administration.
Harris’ endorsement is a significant development, as it highlights a growing sentiment among some Black voters who feel that the Democratic party has not delivered on its promises to address their needs.
Harris points to several specific policies implemented by the Trump administration that he believes directly benefit the Black community. These include permanent funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the creation of opportunity zones to incentivize investment in low-income neighborhoods, the First Step Act, and bipartisan legislation addressing sickle cell anemia.
In contrast, Harris criticizes the Biden-Harris administration for lacking a clear focus on issues that directly impact the Black community. He claims that their efforts have been “too little, too late,” citing the rising costs of living, economic struggles, and a perceived lack of substantial initiatives to elevate the Black community.
“I haven’t heard that from the other side as much,” Harris told Fox News Digital. “What I have heard, I believe, frankly, came a little bit too late, too little, too late.”
Harris’ endorsement is also notable due to the perceived disconnect between the Biden-Harris administration and Black voters. While President Biden enjoyed significant support from the Black community during his 2020 campaign, Vice President Harris has faced challenges in garnering similar levels of support, according to recent polls.
Harris attributes this disconnect to a lack of understanding and empathy for the realities faced by the Black community. He believes that the Democratic party often assumes a “herd mentality” within the Black community, implying that all Black voters will automatically align with their positions.
“I think that people at large, I just want to be honest here, don’t understand the intelligence of the black community,” Harris explained. “They put them in a box and just think that everybody suffers from the herd mentality, that just because certain parts of our community say we should do this, then everybody should do it.”
Harris believes that the Democratic party’s focus on superficial messaging, rather than concrete action, is alienating Black voters who are grappling with tangible economic challenges like rising food and gas prices, and the struggle to afford housing.
“Things have changed for them in a dramatic way in the last four years,” Harris said. “So when somebody starts saying vote for me just because, is insulting. And I think that that’s what the fallback is that somebody is going to vote for you for a double up of what they just had. I think people are too intelligent for that.”
Harris’ personal experience with Trump’s clemency, which he describes as “life-changing,” also weighs heavily on his decision. He emphasizes that Trump’s willingness to grant him a pardon after decades of imprisonment, when former President Obama did not, speaks volumes about his commitment to second chances.
“I’d been gone for 33 years, and President Trump decided to make a difference,” Harris said. “What some people don’t know, I had put in a request for clemency twice under President Obama’s administration and never heard anything back. And the fact that President Trump on his way out was able to provide that relief to me and others, I can’t even put words around it.”
In light of his endorsement, Harris has launched the “O-Plan,” a set of policy proposals aimed at addressing economic disparities and promoting self-sufficiency within the Black community. These proposals include measures to incentivize responsible homeownership, develop financial literacy programs, and foster entrepreneurship.
Harris’ decision to endorse Trump and his subsequent “O-Plan” represent a significant shift in the political landscape, particularly regarding the Black vote. His experience, his voice, and his platform are likely to have a ripple effect on the upcoming election, potentially influencing other Black voters who are seeking tangible solutions to the challenges they face.
It remains to be seen how this endorsement will shape the race, but it undoubtedly underscores the complexities of the Black vote and the importance of understanding the diverse experiences and priorities within this community.