Post Reports – "The Conservative Group Courting Young Black Voters"

Date: November 18, 2025
Host: The Washington Post (Colbykowicz)
Guests: Samantha Sherry (Features Reporter), Sabrina Rodriguez (National Politics Reporter)

Main Theme

This episode explores the conservative group Blexit’s campaign to court young Black voters—particularly through their recent, discreet outreach at Howard University’s homecoming. The discussion examines Blexit's strategies, the reaction from Howard students and activists, and whether the current shift of some Black voters toward the Republican Party might represent a lasting change in America's political landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who is Blexit?

• Blexit is a grassroots movement founded in 2019 by Candace Owens and Brandon Tatum aiming for a "Black exit from the Democratic Party."
• Emphasizes principles like the nuclear family, rejecting a "victimhood mentality," economic independence, and entrepreneurship.
• In 2023, Blexit merged with Turning Point USA, aligning closely in mission and staff.

Candace Owens [02:24]:
"Look, it is the black and Latino exit from the lies of the left, from the victim narrative...for too long, we've been taken advantage of, we've been abused...we're constantly force fed this fearful narrative."

• Blexit claims around 40,000 members and operates on 21 college campuses, with 17 unofficial clubs stemming from their college tours.

2. Blexit’s Campus Strategy—Howard University Visit

• The group quietly participated in Howard’s homecoming week—a huge celebration of Black culture.
• Rather than being openly branded, Blexit representatives, led by Steven Davis, mingled among the student body without overt signs or merchandise.
• Their approach: Ask open-ended questions about entrepreneurship and financial literacy, without direct political references or mentioning Blexit at first.

Samantha Sherry [06:46]:
"Let's just go with a low-level question, something that will get people in the proverbial door...asking about how black people could uplift the community through entrepreneurship."

• This approach led some students to unknowingly engage in discussions about topics at the heart of Blexit’s platform.

3. Campus Reaction and Controversy

• Many students found Blexit’s presence unsettling and provocative, especially given the timing during Howard's homecoming.
• Howard’s administration sent an email advising students not to engage with agitators, indirectly addressing the situation.
• The activist group Refuse Fascism organized in protest, donning anti-Trump gear and calling out Blexit as divisive.

Summer Johnson (student) [08:24]:
"I think it hurts, especially...you're coming to one of the biggest events at Howard and getting people riled up. And I don't think it was the best way for them to come now."

Ralph Nix (Refuse Fascism) [09:28]:
"For them to be here and spreading their hatred, because that's what it is. It's pure hatred...they are a minority of black society."

• Despite protests, some students were receptive to the economic focus, expressing appreciation for discussions on financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

Sam Mahmoud Alhassan (student) [09:58]:
"I believe what he's doing is good. Like the awareness that he's spreading, I believe that's very good awareness that should be spread more about financial literacy, about entrepreneurship..."

4. Effectiveness and Observations

• Most students’ core beliefs remained unchanged; the interactions mainly reinforced pre-existing interests.
• For Blexit, modest engagement is seen as a win, especially in traditionally liberal spaces where conservative outreach often doesn’t take place.

5. Broader Context: Is the Black Vote Shifting?

• In 2024, Trump’s share of Black votes increased from 8% in 2020 to roughly 15%—a significant shift, though still a minority.
• Main factors for the shift: Frustration with the economy, feeling unheard by Democrats, and pragmatic, issues-based campaigning by Republicans.

Sabrina Rodriguez [13:36]:
"There was a lot of frustration about feeling like, who is listening to me? Who is actually going to address my economic concerns?...Trump's campaign made a very concerted effort to go to areas with high populations of black voters and...say, 'Do you feel that Democrats actually listen to you when they're in office?'"

• Republican outreach targeted Black men and focused on economic issues over social or diversity concerns, which resonated with some.

Sabrina Rodriguez [15:03]:
"We want you to have a different introduction to the Republican Party...Maybe you think of the Republican Party as one that's not racially diverse...but them by themselves merely being there, they were trying to show...more open mindedness than maybe a lot of people thought."

• The shift remains tentative; most Black voters still lean strongly Democratic, and any new Republican support is fragile and potentially temporary.

Sabrina Rodriguez [17:35]:
"It is not a given by any means that black voters who backed Trump...are now suddenly staunch Republicans or MAGA or are gonna go and vote Republican again. I think it created that opening where people are paying more attention..."

6. Are Young Black Voters Up for Grabs?

• Republican strategists view young Black voters as "ripe opportunity," given their weaker ties to the Democratic Party and the civil rights movement.
• Blexit’s example shows Republicans "showing up" in new places, seeking to reframe the party’s image and open the door for conversation, if not immediate conversion.

Sabrina Rodriguez [19:11]:
"There's a feeling that young black voters don't necessarily have that affinity, that long standing relationship with the Democratic Party...this is sort of that opening..."

Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Candace Owens on Blexit’s Ethos [02:24]:
  “It is the black and Latino exit from the lies of the left, from the victim narrative. And it's time for us to come together and realize that we are a part of the American picture..."

• Summer Johnson’s Reaction to Blexit at Howard [08:24]:
  “I think it hurts...you're coming to one of the biggest events at Howard and getting people riled up.”

• Ralph Nix, Refuse Fascism [09:28]:
  "Spreading their hatred, because that's what it is...they are a minority of black society."

• Sam Mahmoud Alhassan on Economic Focus [09:58]:
  “The awareness that he's spreading...about financial literacy, about entrepreneurship...I believe that's a very good thing…”

• Sabrina Rodriguez on the 2024 Shift [13:36]:
  "...so much frustration over the economy...Trump's campaign made a very concerted effort...Do you feel that Democrats actually listen to you when they're in office?"

• Sabrina Rodriguez on Young Black Voters [19:11]:
  "Young black voters don't necessarily have that affinity, that long standing relationship with the Democratic Party...this is sort of that opening..."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] – Introduction to Blexit, its mission, and its visit to Howard
• [01:45] – Samantha Sherry explains Blexit's origins and strategy
• [04:22] – Reaction to Blexit's planned HBCU visits and university response
• [05:29] – Description of Blexit's tactics during Howard homecoming
• [08:06] – Howard student reactions and campus climate
• [09:03] – Refuse Fascism protest & counter messaging
• [10:13] – Student feedback: agreement vs. opposition
• [11:25] – Update from Blexit leadership on channel presence
• [12:17] – Broader political analysis with Sabrina Rodriguez
• [13:21] – Stats and factors behind Black voters shifting in 2024
• [15:03] – Republicans’ strategy targeting Black voters
• [17:35] – Durability of the Republican shift among Black voters
• [19:11] – Are young Black voters up for grabs?
• [20:26] – Closing thoughts on the ongoing conversation

Summary and Takeaway

• Blexit’s appearance at Howard exemplifies a subtler, sustained conservative effort to engage with young Black voters on college campuses, focusing on economic talking points and entrepreneurship rather than overt political rhetoric.
• Reactions on campus ranged from outrage to cautious curiosity, revealing both resistance and some areas of resonant messaging (like financial independence).
• The episode places Blexit’s activities within the context of national trends, where economic frustrations and feelings of political neglect have opened new conversations between the Republican Party and Black voters.
• While the numbers signal a shift, the long-term impact remains uncertain, with most Black voters remaining strongly aligned with the Democratic Party but the conversations signifying a change in political outreach strategies.