Donald Trump visits Bronx barbershop, connects with locals
- Trump's visit to the Bronx barbershop occurred during a campaign push for the presidential election.
- Engaging with customers, he emphasized his connection to the community and shared his policies.
- Survey data suggests he may be improving his appeal among black and Hispanic voters, potentially impacting the election.
On October 21, 2024, former President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to the Knockout Barber shop in The Bronx, New York, as part of a segment for the Fox News morning show, "Fox & Friends." This visit marks a strategic approach by Trump to engage with traditionally Democratic voters while campaigning for the upcoming presidential election in November. During his surprising stop, shop co-owner Javier Rodriguez and his customers interacted with Trump, expressing their thoughts on his policies and the current political landscape. Despite being a registered Democrat, Rodriguez shared his undecided stance for the upcoming elections while his father expressed firm support for Trump's reelection, indicating a potential shift in voter sentiment among some Democrats. In his interactions, Trump mentioned his connections to the community, sharing that he grew up in nearby Queens. Judging by recent public polls, Trump seems to be gaining support among black and Hispanic voters at levels not seen since the Nixon era. Historically, Trump garnered only 8% of black voters in 2016 and increased that number to 12% in 2020 according to exit polls. In a recent New York Times/Siena College poll, he was reported to receive even higher percentages among likely black voters. This reflects a changing political dynamic as Trump works to broaden his appeal ahead of the election, demonstrating an intent to reshape his voter base by connecting with more diverse demographics in urban areas.