A Democrat congressman running for Senate uttered a vile racial slur while talking to a prominent black government official during the House Budget Committee hearing.
Rep. David Trone (D-MD) was attacking Republican economic policy when he dropped an extensive term in front of Shalanda Young, the Office of Budget and Management director.
“So this Republican j***boo 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.”
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The term “j***boo” is a contemptuous term for a black person, dating back to the early years of the 20th century.
After being confronted by Fox News, Trone issued a blubbering apology, claiming he meant to say “bugaboo” instead.
He then said he recognized that he had “privilege” as a White man.
“Today, while attempting to use the word “bugaboo” in a hearing, I used a phrase that is offensive,” he said.
“That word has a long, dark, terrible history. It should never be used any time, anywhere, in any conversation.”
“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.
Trone’s remarks lit up social media:
Trone is the Democratic frontrunner for the U.S. Senate seat in Maryland.
His closest competitor is Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, a Black woman.
As The New York Posts notes, Black people make up nearly one-third of heavily Democratic Maryland’s population, according to Census estimates. For several decades, Prince George’s County enjoyed prominence as the richest majority-black county in the US.
Whoever wins the Democratic primary is likely to face off against former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan for the right to succeed the retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin.
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