A white Democrat congressman has provoked a backlash after he used a racial slur while blasting Republicans during a congressional hearing.
Rep. David Trone (D-MD), who is currently running for the U.S. Senate, used the slur while speaking in front of Democrat President Joe Biden’s Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, who is black.
A video from the hearing shows Trone discussing tax policy in front of Young when he refers to “this Republican jigaboo.”
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “jigaboo” is an “offensive” noun that is “used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a black person.”
“So this Republican jigaboo 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 during the hearing.
“They’ve never been there.
“They don’t have a clue what they’re talking about.”
WATCH:
🚨Maryland Democrat Senate frontrunner Rep. David Trone utters racial slur during House meeting:
"Republican j****boo"
Trone was talking about tax policy with OMB Director Shalanda Young, who is a black woman.
Trone later apologized, explaining that he meant to say “bugaboo." pic.twitter.com/kdrR33V8In
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) March 22, 2024
Trone later apologized and said he meant to use the term “bugaboo” instead.
“Today while attempting to use the word ‘bugaboo’ in a hearing, I used a phrase that is offensive,” Trone said in a statement.
“That word has a long dark terrible history.
“It should never be used any time, anywhere, in any conversation,” Trone continued.
“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.
“Regardless of what I meant to say, I shouldn’t have used that language.”
Trone is running for the Democrat nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD).
Trone faces a primary challenge for the nomination from Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
However, both are trailing Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan by double-digits in general election polling.
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