Former NFL player Herschel Walker praises President Trump as a “caring, loving father” and defends his record on race, saying people who think Trump is a racist “don’t know what they are talking about.” #RNC2020 https://t.co/0eaTsmxhg6 pic.twitter.com/YSbW3N5CDf

— CNN (@CNN) August 25, 2020

In response to claims by Democratic opponents and others, the Republican National Convention features multiple speakers of color – mostly Black men – who assure viewers that President Trump is not racist. For example, former football star Herschel Walker says, “I have seen racism up close. I know what it is. And it isn’t Donald Trump.” Commentators suggest that while these endorsements might be leveraged to try to garner votes from Black men, they are likely more targeted at white voters who may seek reassurance that their vote for Trump is not perceived as endorsing racism.