I watched the video of Trump at his Arizona “campaign rally” and noticed standing behind him was a black man wearing a tee shirt that boldly proclaimed “Trump Is Not a Racist.” I decided to google my question and immediately got several hits including a story in the Chicago Tribune. It is astoundiong to read the story of self-called “Michael the Black Man” whose full name is Michael Woodside — or, at times, Michael Symonette, Michael Issis and various other pseudonyms. Many years ago he was a member of a black nationalist cult and during that time was arrested (along with others) and charged with racketeering and conspiracy in 14 murders and a firebombing. Despite testimony about his violence that came from his brother, Michael the Black Man released. He subsequently established a new identity as a rare black supporter of right-wing politicians and an anti-Democrat. He has gained some internet notariety for wild theories about slavery, claiming that it was Indians who put blacks into captivity, and similarly bizarre stories about Obama and Clinton. And he has posted pictures of himself at the Mar-a-Lago Club, apparently as a guest of the Republican Party if not of Trump himself.
It’s not the man’s race that matters (though it apparently matters to Trump who seems to acknowledge Michael’s presence during the speech) but that this man seems to have used the race card to work his way to close proximity to Donald Trump. My real question is how does the Secret Service justify allowing a man with symptoms of mental illness and a history of association with violent people to stand in such close proximity to POTUS?