Donald Trump is facing accusations of using a racist “dog whistle” by strategically selecting venues for his recent rallies in towns with notorious histories of racial exclusion. Critics argue that the former president’s choice of locations for his campaign events during this election cycle is not coincidental but a deliberate nod to areas known for their racist pasts.
Specifically, Trump’s rallies have been held in what are known as “sundown towns.” Britannica defines a sundown town as “a town that excluded nonwhite people—most frequently African Americans—from remaining in town after sunset.” The connection between Trump’s rallies and these historically racist towns has sparked significant controversy and concern among observers.
Singer Bill Madden drew attention to a video in which a TikTok user pointed out a “troubling pattern” of Trump hosting rallies in sundown towns, including Howell, Michigan, in recent weeks. Madden echoed the concerns raised in the video, stating, “This gentleman has noticed something very disturbing. Trump has been holding his hate rallies in sundown towns.”
Journalist Jim Stewartson supported Madden’s observation, saying, “He is absolutely correct. Donald Trump’s campaign is intentionally visiting ‘sundown towns’ which violated federal law to be ‘whites only.'” The allegations gained further traction when opinion columnist Will Bunch weighed in, calling the pattern “remarkable” and insisting it “cannot be a coincidence.” Bunch credited Madden and the TikTok user for uncovering this pattern, which he finds deeply concerning.
Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance also addressed the issue, highlighting her own observations on social media platform X. “Interesting notice recently that Trump is holding his rallies in sundown towns,” Vance remarked. She pointed to Cullman, Alabama, as an example—a town with a history of racial exclusion that Trump chose as a stop during his 2021 campaign. “Could it be a coincidence that he is bringing Trump to these places? Anything is possible, but Cullman, for instance, is out of the way. Any number of places in Alabama would’ve been more suitable.” Vance concluded with a pointed comment: “Sometimes the dog whistle actually works, loudly spoken.”
These accusations have fueled ongoing debates about the implications of Trump’s campaign strategies and the messages they may be sending to his base. The controversy underscores the enduring tension around race in American politics, particularly as the 2024 election approaches.