Representative David Trone issued an apology after using a racial slur during a budget hearing.
According to Associated Pressthe Maryland congressman running for Senate said he inadvertently used the offensive term in place of another word.
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As Trone vehemently stated that corporation tax rates did not affect the way he conducted business, he used the word ‘jigaboo’. In his apology, he clarified that he confused the term with the word ‘bugaboo’.
“When trying to use the word ‘bugaboo’ in a hearing, I used a phrase that is offensive. This word has a long, dark and terrible history. It should never be used at any time, in any place, in any conversation.”
Furthermore, he recognized how his race gives him an advantage and with that comes responsibility.
“I recognize that, as a white man, I have privileges. And as an elected official, I have responsibility for the words I use – especially in the heat of the moment. Regardless of what I meant, I shouldn’t have used that language.”
Watch the video of him using the insult below.
Trone using the offensive term
The 68-year-old used the derogatory term after welcoming a black woman Shalanda Young, to the audience. She heads the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Trone did not appear to realize his mistake as he spoke and continued to talk about President Biden tax policies, as reported in the New York Post Office.
But X, formerly known as a Twitter user, quickly realized his mistake.
Trone is a Democrat currently running to replace retiring Senator Ben Cardin in the Senate, however, he has some competition. Angela Alsobrooks is running against him. If elected, she would become the state’s first black U.S. senator.
Could his mistake affect the black people who voted for him?
The U.S. Census reports that blacks make up a third of the population in Maryland, which has a sizable Democratic base. Prince George’s County is reportedly one of the wealthiest majority-black counties in the United States.
Alsobrooks is the chief executive of Prince George’s County.
Whether Trone or Alsobrooks wins the Democratic primary, they will likely head to head with former Republican Governor Larry Hogan to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Ben Cardin.
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