Malcolm X and Donald Trump: An Unlikely Alignment
By: Damien Thaddeus Jones - @NobleNegroe + Facebook
Sixty years ago today, the bullets of assassins silenced Malcolm X, a prophet of truth who dared to see the world as it was and speak it as he saw it. His voice still echoes, sharp and unyielding, cutting through the noise of our modern age. As I sit here in 2025, watching the second term of President Donald J. Trump unfold, I can’t help but wonder: What would Brother Malcolm make of this man, this moment? Folks might scoff, but hear me out—I believe Malcolm X, the unapologetic warrior for Black self-reliance, would find common cause with Trump today. Not because of blind loyalty, but because of principle.
Malcolm was no stranger to shaking the table. He didn’t bow to the liberal establishment or the conservative gatekeepers. He stood for Black folks standing on their own two feet—economically, spiritually, and politically. In 2025, Trump’s America, for all its chaos, is a place where the old rules are broken. Malcolm never trusted the system to save us; he’d see in Trump a wrecking ball to the elitist structures that kept Black communities begging for scraps. Trump’s not perfect—Lord knows he’s a sinner like the rest of us—but he’s a man who’s shown he’ll buck the powers that be. Malcolm might respect that.
Let’s talk economics, because Malcolm was all about the dollar staying in our pockets. He preached Black ownership—businesses, land, wealth. Trump’s policies, from tax cuts to deregulation, have put fuel in the engine of entrepreneurship. In 2025, Black-owned businesses are thriving at rates we haven’t seen in decades. The numbers don’t lie: unemployment for our people is low, and opportunity zones—however flawed—are pumping life into neglected corners. Malcolm didn’t want handouts; he wanted us to build. Trump, whatever his motives, has created a sandbox where we can do just that. Malcolm might nod at a man who says, “Get up and get yours,” instead of promising cradle-to-grave charity.
Then there’s the matter of truth-telling. Malcolm never minced words—he called out corruption, hypocrisy, and the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Trump, love him or hate him, speaks plain. He doesn’t cloak his thoughts in the polished jargon of politicians. In 2025, with the world watching America wrestle with its soul, Trump’s bluntness echoes Malcolm’s refusal to play nice with power. Malcolm didn’t trust the media to tell our story; Trump’s war on the press might’ve earned a wry smile from the man who once said, “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth.”
Now, I know what you’re thinking—Malcolm was a revolutionary, and Trump’s a capitalist through and through. But peel back the layers. Malcolm’s evolution took him from separatism to a broader fight for justice, rooted in self-determination. Trump’s “America First” mantra, in 2025, isn’t just about borders—it’s about sovereignty, about a nation doing for itself. Malcolm might see a parallel: a people, Black or otherwise, taking control of their destiny. He’d challenge Trump’s blind spots, but he’d respect the rejection of globalist chains.
Malcolm X wasn’t a man for endorsements, but he was a man for results. In 2025, with Trump doubling down on shaking up the status quo, I believe Malcolm would see a tool, not a savior. He’d tell us, “Use what works, discard what doesn’t.” Trump’s not the answer to every prayer, but he’s a disruptor. And Malcolm? He lived to disrupt. In this strange season, their spirits might just align—not in lockstep, but in purpose.
Rev. Damien Thaddeus Jones is a Christian minister, distinguished conservative thought leader, and political analyst with nearly 15 years of expertise in civic and political engagement. He is the author of best selling book Black Voters Red Wave.