This morning (Oct. 21), Ebro in the Morning sat down with Ice Cube to get clarity on his decision to work with the Trump administration on a plan to help black communities across the nation build wealth to their neighborhoods.
Eight days ago (Oct. 13), senior adviser for President Donald Trump, Katrina Pierson tweeted a shout out to Ice Cube for “his willingness to step up and work with @RealDonaldTrump administration to help develop the #PlatinumPlan.” Parts of Cube’s 13-part plan which he originally unveiled in July called the A CONTRACT WITH BLACK AMERICA were used in the Trump administration plan seen below.
Shoutout to @icecube for his willingness to step up and work with @realDonaldTrump Administration to help develop the #PlatinumPlan
ICYMI: https://t.co/V0qOAp0lwR
Leaders gonna lead, haters gonna hate. Thank you for leading! ✊🏾
— Katrina Pierson (@KatrinaPierson) October 13, 2020
The comment resulted in a fiery debate on social media with many people disappointed with the legendary rapper & actor’s decision to work with the administration so close to a pivotal election, and others believing that he is initially being used as a pawn.
Over the week following the initial announcement, Ice Cube went on programs such as Cuomo Prime Time on CNN, The Morning Culture with Big Tigger radio show on V-103 in Atlanta, and even his own Instagram Live to discuss his decision and any misconceptions people may have had on his intent on helping black communities around this country.
Speaking to Ebro in the Morning, he further articulated his plan to help the black community, the process he underwent dealing with both parties to get a seat at the table to help his community, addressed the reaction to his decision, why he addressed Eric Trump in a tweet, his plans to work with Diddy and others, and more in an over 40-minute interview.
Below are 5 things we learned from the conversation:
Working With The Trump Administration To Help Black Americans
“We were contacted by the Trump campaign because they said they loved our plan and wanted to talk to us about our plan,” he said. “So once we talked to them about our plan and what we had and what we were envisioning and also making sure money went exactly where it was supposed to go. They upgraded their plan. I didn’t come out of there, it was not a photo-op situation. No look what I did look what I did. I actually told them nobody is going to believe you unless you do something.”
On Addressing Eric Trump After Tweeting A Photo Of A Photoshopped Image Of Himself & 50 Cent Both Wearing Trump 2020 Caps.
“It was a doctored photo,” he said. “Don’t use no doctored shit on me and think i’m not just going to call you out on it. That kind of shit is foul. It don’t get him no where with me. I haven’t endorsed Donald Trump. To me both sides are lacking, and they got to do better for me.”
On Comments That Donald Trump Drives Promotes White Supremacy Through Words And Actions.
“White supremacy does turn me off,” he said. “But its everywhere, and it is on both sides of the aisle. That’s just the reality that we live in, and I’m not naive to that. We’re engulfed in white supremacy that’s just something we have to fight our way out of man. We’re going to have to fight on all fronts.”
On Pierson’s decision to tweet about their meeting:
“To me it’s politics,” he said. “Of course it’s a little shady because it was misleading. But its politics. I know if I did something for the Biden campaign they would use it too. It’s just politics. I have a lot of understanding on how these things are used. I know this was going to come out eventually. I was there for a bigger cause so I wasn’t really concerned about that. I knew once the truth got out and people heard what I said, they would understand what happened.”
Who Will He Vote For In This Election?
“I voted democratic in every election. I actually haven’t. I’m going to vote because theres a lot to vote in California up and down city and state. I’m a true undecided voter because they are not doing enough.”
On Working With Democrats To Implement His Plan:
“They said that they like the plan. That they would deal with it after the election. Invite me to the table, and work on the plan or implement some of the ideas. If they win I still expect that to happen because that’s what they said. Whoever wins, I hope they expect to see me. Like I said, I’ll work with everybody that will work with me to get these things done. I do need help. I am getting help from a few grassroots organizations here and there. I wish I can get help from every grassroots organization to push these things and make sure they are implemented because there are phases to this.”
On Working With Black Mayors Around The Nation:
“We’ve talked to mayors,” he said. “On the call with the DNC was the mayor of Atlanta [Keshia Lance-Bottoms]. She was on the call. I know mayors. We went through the whole contry with the Big 3 and we met a lot of black mayors that went to the games and enjoyed themselves at the games. Have a lot of then weighed in on this, no. This is something I expected to grow, and continue to grow. The campaign’s contacted me, I spoke to them, and I’m back on my mission to grow the Contract To Black America. I’m not naive enough to believe whoever gets elected will push this thing without it being pushed from the back.”
Will He Work With Diddy In The Future On Their Agendas?
“I talked to Puff before he started his party,” he said. “Ever since he started it, then this thing came out. We haven’t connected yet on our black party. We’ll end up talking and connecting and trying to build. I think its important for us to try and connect with other people doing things and pull our resources, and network.”
Watch the full conversation below: