Rhode Island-based Black Lives Matter (BLM) activist Mark Fisher has endorsed former President Donald Trump, triggering both support from conservatives and swift disassociation from local BLM organizations. Newsweek reported this revelation on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
Fisher’s endorsement came to light during a recent interview on Fox News, where he boldly proclaimed, “Trump has done more for the Black community than any president I can think of in my lifetime.”
Expressing disillusionment with the Democratic Party, Fisher accused them of exploiting the Black community and implementing what he labeled as racist policies. In stark contrast, he praised Trump for his candid and straightforward approach, stating, “Donald Trump is the opposite. He’s going to tell you how it is. He’s going to give it to you straight.”
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Despite Fisher’s association with the progressive politics often aligned with the BLM movement, his endorsement of Trump has led to an immediate distancing of ties with local organizations. BLM Rhode Island promptly disavowed Fisher, declaring, “His position with us was and is terminated.” Newsweek reached out to the national BLM organization for additional comments.
Conservatives, however, celebrated Fisher’s endorsement, especially as polls indicate a decline in President Joe Biden’s support among Black voters since 2020.
The unexpected shift in allegiance from a prominent BLM figure has garnered attention, with conservative commentator Collin Rugg expressing surprise in a post on X. Rugg wrote, “NEW: Black Lives Matter Rhode Island co-founder Mark Fisher is supporting Donald Trump for the 2024 election because Democrats are ‘not for us.’ Didn’t see that one coming.”
Blaze TV host Chad Prather highlighted the irony in Fisher’s endorsement, stating, “Mark Fisher, co-founder of BLM Rhode Island, endorses Donald Trump. Democrats are confused on how to make this both a racist and a non-racist decision.”
Rhode Island-based BLM organizations sought to clarify Fisher’s lack of affiliation with their groups. Black Lives Matter RI Pac released a statement on X, asserting, “Mark Fisher is not and has never been affiliated with our organization.” The organization emphasized that Fisher’s views expressed in the Fox News segment do not reflect their values and beliefs.
Fisher, who previously stated his support for Trump in 2024 because “everybody else sucks,” added a layer of complexity to the ongoing discourse surrounding race, politics, and the evolving landscape of activism in the United States with his blunt criticism of current political figures.
