BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — Republican supporters of President Donald Trump say he didn't know the significance to black Americans of the date and location he chose for his first campaign rally since the coronavirus pandemic.
Sens. James Lankford of Oklahoma and Tim Scott of South Carolina are expressing relief that Trump has moved the rally from June 19 to June 20.
June 19, also known as Juneteenth, marks the end of slavery in the U.S.
The rally location, Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the scene in 1921 of one of the most severe white-on-black attacks in American history. Trump relented after an outcry.
Lankford said he had called Trump on an unrelated matter and that Trump broached the issue. He said Trump told him he was thinking about rescheduling and asked Lankford’s opinion.
“I suggested, ‘Yes, I think that would be a great idea. It would be very, very respectful to the community,’” Lankford said. He said Trump immediately said he didn’t want to do anything that would show disrespect to the black community.
