Black conservative activist Candace Owens led a group of visitors to a Trump event at the White House. ABC News is now reporting that Owens’s group “BLEXIT” paid for the travel and lodging of some visitors.
BLEXIT, a moniker of Black Exit refers to Black people leaving the Democratic Party to become Republicans.
Saturday’s White House event featured President Donald Trump who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19, and did not enforce social distancing.
Read More: Trump makes 1st public appearance since his hospital stay
“EVERYONE MUST BRING A MASK TO BE ALLOWED ENTRY ONTO THE WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS,” Owen’s campaign’s statement in a private email obtained by ABC News. “Absolutely no exceptions.”
Mask wearing was not requirement for entrance, though. The attendees had to submit to a COVID-19 screening the morning of the event, which consisted of a temperature check and a brief questionnaire, according to ABC News.
Supporters attended a prescheduled BLEXIT event called the “BLEXIT Back the Blue” to support police officers. After that event, the group headed to Trump’s “HUGE outdoor rally.”
The BLEXIT campaign reportedly used its funds to pay for guests to show up to the event. Some on social media speculate that Owens and her supporters are used as puppets to help Trump’s image with Black people.
“We are not interested in participating in your obvious media angle here to slander/attack the President regarding Covid-19,” Owens said in response to ABC News’ request for comment. “[The BLEXIT Back the Blue event] is about supporting law enforcement in minority communities.
It is unknown how much money was used.
Read More: Trump vows not to participate in virtual debate with Biden
White House spokesman Judd Deere told ABC News the administration had no involvement in accommodating anyone.
Trump is currently struggling with support among Black voters as Joe Biden led him 88% to 9% among Black registered voters, according to a Sept. 26 ABC/Washington Post poll.
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