Democratic Rep. David Trone has lost the support of several Black lawmakers after using a racial slur during Thursday's House Budget Committee hearing, Fox News reported. Trone is the frontrunner in Maryland's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
During the proceedings, Trone used the word "jigaboo," which is a derogatory term for Black people. He was speaking to speaking to Office of Budget and Management Director Shalanda Young, who is black.
Young was testifying in front of the committee and was speaking about tax guidelines with Trone. "So this Republican jigaboo that – it’s the tax rate that’s stopping business investment, it’s just completely faulty by people who have never run a business," Trone said.
"They’ve never been there. They don’t have a clue what they’re talking about."
Trone claimed he meant the word "bugaboo" and apologized. Perhaps that wasn't enough for his five colleagues, who have instead backed his opponent in the Democratic primary, Price George County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
The lawmakers include Reps. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY). Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), and Barbara Lee (D-CA). The lawmakers and the candidate Alsobrooks are all Black, but none will say if the move is directly related to the incident.
In his apology, Trone explained that he misspoke but acknowledged the "long dark terrible history" of the word, the Associated Press reported. "It should never be used any time, anywhere, in any conversation," Trone said in a written statement.
"I recognize that as a white man, I have privilege. And as an elected official, I have a responsibility for the words I use — especially in the heat of the moment," he added.
"Regardless of what I meant to say, I shouldn’t have used that language," Trone said. However, it seems the damage has been done.
There have certainly been times when people have innocently misspoken or had their words misinterpreted. However, Trone's slip-up is a bit too on the nose to dismiss as such, and it's likely his career in politics is over.
The lawmaker was speaking to a Black woman when he supposedly confused the terms. Even if it was an honest mistake, as he claims, Trone should have used more care in choosing his words.
He has put Democrats in a tough spot as they attempt to replace retiring Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin. While Alsobrooks would be the first Black woman to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate, the seat is still up for grabs on the GOP side.
Former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan is a formidable candidate in the general election. He finished his second term last year with high approval numbers and enjoys an advantage with name recognition.
In today's cancel culture, there is certainly an instinct to pounce on anyone for just about anything. What Trone said and in the context he said it perhaps deserves that treatment more than many others who have faced similar treatment.
