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This is Trump & Elon Watch: Black America's Weekly Need-to-Know.
Each week, BIN will break down the latest actions of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk— whether it’s political maneuvering, economic policies, social media shake-ups, or attacks on democracy. We’ll examine what’s happening, why it matters, and — most importantly — how Black America is impacted.
No fluff. No fear-mongering. Just facts.
Every breakdown is designed to be a resource—a guide to help Black America navigate these uncertain times. Because if history has taught us anything, knowledge is power.
Trump's Tariffs
Photo: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images News / Getty Images
What’s Happening?
Before diving into the latest on Trump’s tariffs, let’s break down what tariffs actually are. A tariff is essentially a tax on imported goods. When the U.S. imposes tariffs on products from other countries, companies either absorb the cost or pass it down to consumers. That means higher prices on everything from electronics to groceries, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainty. Tariffs can also trigger retaliation from other countries, which often hurts U.S. businesses—especially farmers.
Now, let's get to the latest on Trump's tariffs. On Tuesday (March 4), Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, while China faced a 20 percent tariff. In response, China retaliated with tariffs of up to 15 percent on U.S. agricultural imports, including chicken, pork, soy, and beef.
Then, on Wednesday (March 5), Trump delayed his proposed auto-related tariffs until April 2. The next day, Thursday (March 6), he walked back additional tariffs, signing an order temporarily exempting goods from Mexico and Canada until the April 2 deadline.
However, Trump is now threatening to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on all U.S. trading partners once this temporary reprieve ends. This means every country would face the same tariff rates that it imposes on U.S. goods.
How Are We Impacted?
Trump’s tariffs on China will affect everyday goods like cell phones, computers, electric and industrial equipment, toys, games, sporting goods, appliances, and furniture. Meanwhile, U.S. exports to China now face a 15 percent retaliatory tariff, impacting soybeans, meat and poultry, cotton, fish, and shellfish.
Trump has admitted that there will be “a little disturbance” from the tariffs, a statement that coincides with sharp drops in the stock market over the past few days due to uncertainty over pricing.
During his joint address to Congress on Tuesday, Trump acknowledged that farmers will bear the brunt of the tariffs. “It may be a little bit of an adjustment period,” he said, adding, “You have to bear with me again, and this will be even better.”
In response to the U.S. tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to impose tariffs on over $100 billion in American goods within the next 21 days.
What Can Be Done?
With Trump continuing to delay and revise his tariffs, businesses, consumers, and investors face ongoing uncertainty.
Some industries—like automakers—successfully lobbied the government for a reprieve. Other companies and trade groups can file exemption requests with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Section 301 program, but it’s unclear whether they would be granted.
"The president is open to hearing about additional exemptions," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Wednesday.
Trump’s Crackdown on ‘Illegal Protests’
Photo: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News / Getty Images
What’s Happening?
This week, Trump announced that he will block federal funding for colleges and universities that allow so-called “illegal protests.” On Tuesday (March 4), Trump took to Truth Social to make the declaration, threatening to arrest students who participate in unspecified “illegal protests.”
"All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came,” he wrote. “American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
How Are We Impacted?
Trump’s announcement appears to be a direct response to ongoing protests at Columbia University, where several federal agencies have announced that contracts and grants with the school are under review.
The move could also be a political scare tactic following an incident at Barnard College, where pro-Palestinian protesters allegedly injured an employee while trying to enter a building.
Historically, college campuses have been a battleground for Black-led movements. However, because Trump has not defined what constitutes an “illegal protest,” Black students could face arrests and suspensions for demonstrations that the Trump administration deems unacceptable.
This is particularly alarming for Black students participating in:
- Pro-Palestinian protests
- Speech critical of Israel
- Any form of activism perceived as “disruptive” by the Trump administration
Additionally, colleges and universities might preemptively crackdown on student speech to avoid losing federal funding. This would silence both students and professors, stripping campuses of their historical role as spaces for political and social change.
What Can Be Done?
Trump’s threats likely violate the First Amendment, making it difficult to enforce this policy. However, with a Republican-controlled Congress and a conservative Supreme Court, nothing is off the table.
"The federal government cannot mandate expulsion of students or threaten funding cuts to punish constitutionally protected speech on campus," said Esha Bhandari, deputy director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. "While the administration can enforce Title VI to ensure a learning environment free from harassment, it cannot force universities into adopting restrictive speech codes that silence the viewpoints the government disfavors.”
Trump's Latest Attempt to Dismantle the Department of Education
Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News / Getty Images
What's Happening?
This week, it appeared that Trump was set to issue an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education. While reports indicated that Trump would sign the order on Thursday (March 6)— and the White House schedule was updated that morning to include unspecified executive orders — a White House official told The Hill that Trump would not be signing the order just yet, as it was still under review.
As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, the draft order, which has been in the works since before Trump was sworn into office in January, acknowledges that the president does not have the unilateral authority to abolish the department. In reality, doing so would require 60 votes in the Senate, where Republicans currently hold only 53 seats, making it an uphill battle. However, the order directs McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department" to the "maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law," according to WSJ.
While Trump can’t legally eliminate the department on his own, this directive to McMahon could be the first step toward defunding, downsizing, or stripping the DOE of its core functions—effectively weakening it from within.
How Are We Impacted?
The potential dismantling of the DOE poses serious risks to the Black community:
- Civil Rights Protections: The DOE's Office for Civil Rights enforces laws against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age in educational institutions. Eliminating the department could weaken enforcement of these protections, making Black students more vulnerable to discriminatory practices.
- Funding for Low-Income Schools: Federal initiatives like Title I provide essential funding to schools serving low-income communities, many with significant Black student populations. Without the DOE, the distribution and oversight of these funds could become inconsistent, exacerbating educational inequities.
- Higher Education Support: The DOE administers Pell Grants and other financial aid programs that help Black students access higher education. Dismantling the department could disrupt these programs, limiting college affordability and access.
What Can Be Done
To address these challenges, the Black community and its allies can contact legislators to express opposition to dismantling the DOE, emphasizing the potential harm to civil rights and educational equity. You can also invest in local educational programs and organizations that support Black students, preparing to fill potential gaps left by federal withdrawal.
Elon Musk Fans The Flames Of A Pointless Pardon
Photo: Getty Images
What’s Happening?
This week, Elon Musk amplified conservative commentator Ben Shapiro’s call for Trump to pardon Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted in 2021 for the murder of George Floyd. Chauvin remains incarcerated for the crime.
Shapiro characterized Chauvin’s conviction as a "railroading" by the "Woke movement" and urged Trump to grant him a pardon. Musk then shared Shapiro’s plea on X (formerly Twitter), replying, "Something to think about."
How Are We Impacted?
It's important to note that a presidential pardon applies only to federal offenses. Chauvin's primary conviction— a 22.5-year sentence for second-degree murder —was under Minnesota state law. Therefore, a federal pardon would not overturn this state conviction, and Chauvin would remain incarcerated. However, such a pardon could be perceived as undermining the accountability achieved through Chauvin's conviction, potentially eroding trust in the justice system's commitment to addressing police violence against Black people.
What Can Be Done?
As noted above, it’s important to recognize that a presidential pardon would not free Chauvin. So, why are Musk and Shapiro pushing for this? Because they know it’s performative. This isn’t about legal justice—it’s about stirring outrage and baiting the Black community into a reaction. Their goal is to inflame racial tensions, dominate news cycles, and shift conversations away from more pressing issues that actually affect our lives. The best response? Refuse to be played.
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