Sen. Sherrod Brown calls Trump supporters racist in 2020 CNN interview

In a 2020 CNN interview, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown criticized supporters of then-President Donald Trump, stating they were backing a racist. He argued that Trump's appeal to anger, fear, and resentment resonated with a significant portion of the American public, specifically noting that 35% of Americans supported him for these reasons. Brown acknowledged that while not all Trump supporters are racist, they are complicit in supporting a racist agenda. This statement followed previous comments where he labeled Trump as a racist, citing Trump's history of questioning the legitimacy of President Obama's birthplace as a key example. Brown's remarks came during a politically charged period as he faced a competitive Senate race against Republican challenger Bernie Moreno in a state that Trump had won by a notable margin in 2020. The senator's comments were part of a broader strategy to address issues of structural racism, as he introduced a resolution linking the U.S. immigration system to systemic racial disparities. This resolution highlighted the disproportionate impact of criminal justice and immigration enforcement on various minority communities. The political landscape surrounding Brown's campaign was tense, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee accusing him of harboring anti-Trump sentiments while simultaneously seeking votes from Trump supporters. Brown's campaign defended his record, emphasizing his commitment to all Ohioans and contrasting his actions with those of Moreno, who faced allegations of unethical behavior. As the election approached, the race was deemed a toss-up, reflecting the contentious atmosphere and the significance of Brown's comments in shaping voter perceptions. The dynamics of the race underscored the challenges faced by Democrats in appealing to a diverse electorate in a state with a strong Trump following.