A recent Forbes article sparking controversy with its headline has been removed from their website due to backlash on social media. The piece, written by scholar and self-described DEI expert Shaun Harper, questioned whether former President Donald Trump surviving an assassination attempt would draw more black voters to his support. The column addressed the high levels of gun violence faced by black Americans in many urban centers, suggesting that Trump could address this issue through legislation and financial investments in urban black communities.
However, social media users expressed their outrage at the piece and its headline, accusing it of being casually racist. Even Forbes’ own union called out the column for not representing their ethical or journalistic principles. The online story is now redirecting to the homepage with a 404 error.
The article was published following Trump being shot during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where he was able to walk off the stage without assistance. Three others were also hit by gunfire, including a 50-year-old father of two who died from his injuries. The would-be assassin was killed by Secret Service agents.
When reached for comment by The Post, Harper claimed that his column had been widely misinterpreted. Forbes has not yet commented on the matter.
