There has been significant discussion surrounding Donald Trump’s efforts to engage the black community, with visits to churches and various pre-arranged spots. These appearances, though seemingly spontaneous, are meticulously planned due to Secret Service protocols.

A recent incident at Chick-fil-A, along with numerous videos featuring a black woman employed by alt-right commentator Charlie Kirk, highlight Trump’s strategic outreach. However, media scrutiny suggests that these efforts are not genuinely aimed at securing black votes. Instead, the Trump campaign appears to be executing a dual-purpose strategy.

Firstly, by creating doubt among black voters about Biden, Trump hopes to suppress their turnout. Historically, when black voter turnout decreases, GOP candidates tend to benefit significantly. Given the anticipated tight margin in the upcoming election, Trump’s team aims to leverage this dynamic.

Secondly, these outreach events serve as photo ops featuring black conservative influencers. The true target here is not black voters, but white suburban voters who might be swayed by seeing Trump in a more diverse context. This demographic, especially those who shifted to Biden in 2020, is crucial for Trump. By portraying himself as inclusive, Trump aims to assuage these voters’ concerns about racism and attract them back to the GOP.

Despite these efforts, the Trump campaign lacks substantial policy discussions or grassroots initiatives in black communities. The focus remains on swing states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, particularly on suburban areas where he needs to regain lost support.

The media, by concentrating on Trump’s black outreach, inadvertently amplifies his strategy. A more effective focus might be on scrutinizing potential appointments in a possible second Trump administration, providing a clearer picture of what his leadership could entail.

In essence, Trump’s current outreach to the black community appears less about securing their votes and more about creating a narrative that could influence suburban voters, leveraging photo ops to counteract his party’s extreme image.