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Trump is giving a speech to the National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week Conference.
Trump starts on script, praising HBCUs as pillars of excellence that have "shaped American leaders, trained American legends...made all of America very proud of you."
Trump gives a shoutout to the executive director of his HBCUs initiative, Johnathan Holifield, then says Evander Holyfield is a friend of his, and he was a really great fighter.
With minimal ad-libbing, Trump is reciting the history and accomplishments of HBCUs and listing some of their famous graduates.
Trump touts NASA outreach to HBCUs, so people can do various jobs including astronaut, then says, "I don't know about the astronaut. I don't want to be an astronaut." He surveys the room to see if anyone wants to be an astronaut.
Trump manages to get his false claim about the "$500 billion" trade deficit with China into this speech to HBCUs. He's arguing that both parties let China "shatter the dreams of our citizens" and hurt the lives of African Americans.
Trump pulls his regular "and" trick after misspeaking, saying, "The first agenda, and the America First agenda, is about..."
"African Americans built this nation through generations of blood, sweat and tears," Trump says. He touts the record low in African American unemployment. He asks which possible debate opponent could possibly beat him with numbers like this.
"We will never let you down, and we will never stop fighting for you," Trump concludes his subdued speech to the HBCU conference. As at his rallies, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" plays him off the stage.
