Trump’s Black History Month Spectacle: A Masterclass in Political Theater

A large street art mural on the side of a city building depicting a mysterious figure holding up a vibrant mask symbolizing diversity, Black cultural icons, and progress. Behind the mask, the figure’s true face is partially visible, revealing a shadowy expression with elements of voter suppression, dismantled DEI programs, and erased Black history. The mural uses a striking graffiti-style, blending realism and symbolism to contrast optics versus reality.

By Michael Smith

As Black History Month Ends, Trump’s Political Game Continues

Every February, Black History Month offers an opportunity to honor the struggles, triumphs, and ongoing fight for Black liberation in America. It’s supposed to be a time of education, reflection, and action. But in 2025, it’s ending the way it began—under attack.

While communities across the country have been organizing, educating, and preserving Black history, Trump was busy staging his own version of “Black excellence” at the White House—one that conveniently omitted scholars, historians, and policy experts but made plenty of room for athletes, entertainers, and anyone willing to smile for the cameras.

This was not a tribute to Black history—it was a political chess move designed to obscure the very real ways in which his administration is actively dismantling the progress Black America has fought for.

And now, as we close out this month, we have to ask ourselves: What will we do with this clarity? How do we move forward knowing exactly what we’re up against?

Tiger Woods: A Convenient Awakening?

There was a time when Tiger Woods could barely be bothered to acknowledge his Blackness. The man who once coined the term Cablinasian—deliberately distancing himself from a singular racial identity—was suddenly front and center as a guest of honor at Trump’s event.

Woods, ever the politically neutral figure, kept his remarks brief, offering nothing of substance but plenty of gratitude. “It’s an honor to be here,” he said, standing beside Trump, seemingly unbothered by the administration’s ongoing attacks on DEI, affirmative action, and voting rights.

And this moment will be used, repeatedly, as a shield.

Every time Trump’s administration is accused of racism, they will point to Tiger. Every time his policies disproportionately hurt Black Americans, they will say, “But look, Tiger Woods supports me.”

Woods may have thought he was simply attending a ceremonial event, but in reality, he allowed himself to become a political tool.

While They Were Smiling, DEI Was Being Dismantled

While Trump was busy hosting handpicked Black celebrities, his administration was gutting the 1890 National Scholars Program, a crucial funding initiative for students attending historically Black land-grant universities (HBCUs).

This isn’t an abstract concern—this is happening in real-time.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies are being dismantled.
Civil rights protections are being weakened through executive orders.
Black education, Black history, and Black futures are under attack—all while Trump parades Black entertainers as proof that he’s “not racist.”

This is a strategy, not a coincidence. And the White House event was just another chess move in the broader game.

A Celebration of Black History With No Historians

While the East Room was filled with Black athletes, musicians, and influencers, Trump’s guest list notably excluded:

✅ Black historians
✅ Black economists
✅ Black civil rights leaders
✅ Black educators
✅ Black policy experts

Instead, we got Kodak Black and Lil Boosie—two rappers who have publicly thanked Trump for past favors (Kodak for a presidential pardon, Boosie for "speaking out against cancel culture").

Their presence was a deliberate choice—a way to signal to casual observers that Trump “has Black support,” while keeping out anyone who might actually challenge his policies.

A Statue Won’t Save Us

During the event, Trump proudly announced new statues of Black American icons—including Kobe Bryant, Jackie Robinson, and Muhammad Ali.

While monuments are nice, they don’t provide access to higher education. They don’t protect voting rights. They don’t undo the damage of his administration’s ongoing assault on racial equity.

Erecting statues while simultaneously gutting programs that help real, living Black Americans is the political equivalent of throwing someone a lifeboat after you’ve already sunk their ship.

It’s not honoring Black history. It’s co-opting it.

A Final Reflection: As Black History Month Ends, The Fight Continues

Black History Month is not just a moment on the calendar—it’s a reminder of our collective responsibility to confront injustice.

What Trump did at the White House this month was not an anomaly. It was a preview of what’s to come.

This administration is dismantling DEI, suppressing Black history in schools, and rolling back policies that protect Black workers and students. But instead of owning these actions, they distract the public with staged events and celebrity endorsements.

So as this month ends, let’s make something clear:

✅ We are not fooled by this performance.
✅ We see the rollbacks in real-time.
✅ We will not be silent about it.

Black history is not just about what happened in the past—it’s about what’s happening right now.

If we fail to recognize and challenge the ways in which our history is being erased in real-time, next year, we may not even have a Black History Month to celebrate.

Stay vigilant. Stay aware. And most importantly, stay ready.

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