Election 2020: Trump's outreach to Black musicians is 'just baiting,' says Will.i.am

The Black vote is central to both Republicans and Democrats in a number of key battleground states on Election Day. This election cycle, President Trump’s campaign has been trying to double Black voter support to 12% from 6% in the 2016 election.

Celebrities like Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Ice Cube have all voiced support for Trump or his policies, citing his “Platinum Plan” — Trump’s “promise” to Black America and his tax policies which they say are better for higher bracket earners than former Vice President Joe Biden.

“I would urge those folks that are on the fence, if you're going to listen to an entertainer, please listen to an entertainer that has been doing work in the community, who has, you know, checkmarks on who they've helped, checkmarks on what good they have brought to communities that are underserved. And that who you should be open to listen to,” Will.i.am told Yahoo Finance Presents.

[Read also: Black men are voting for Trump because of chauvinism: Former NAACP president]

The founder and frontman of the Black Eyed Peas, is behind the new viral music video “The Love,” featuring Biden and Jennifer Hudson, which Will.i.am said was created to engage and inspire people as he did with “Yes, We Can,” featuring then Senator Barack Obama in 2008. While Will.i.am’s video is independent from the Biden-Harris campaign, it calls for the need of a change in leadership, especially as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If your Uber driver was taking you somewhere and refused to listen to the GPS coordinates and directions and got you lost, you are going to hop out of that car. You're not going to give the Uber driver another chance once he's made you late to your meetings. Trump is that Uber driver that has us all lost and refuses to listen to the GPS because he's that stubborn driver...,” said Will.i.am.

Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas seen at KAABOO Texas at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, May 11, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas seen at KAABOO Texas at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, May 11, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Will.i.am said Ice Cube should “not be coupled” with Lil Wayne or 50 Cent because he was thinking about the community and working on a plan. Despite that, Will,i.am said Ice Cube is “entertaining the liar. He's entertaining someone who is just baiting him, and using his Black connection to get the Black vote, and he maybe doesn't see that or think that's possible.”

As Election Day approaches, Will.i.am wants voters to listen to entertainers like Chuck D.

“I urge you to check out Chuck D. I urge you to check out who Common wants to support, John Legend, who he wants to support, before you, you know, just go on entertainer for entertainer's sake,” Will.i.am said. “Please, if you're that on the fence, if you're that in the crossroads, please follow the folks that are out there putting in work, regardless if there's a camera on them and a photo op.”