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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.
This week, Trump is deepening his assault on voting rights and resources, while Musk is throwing his money behind a state Supreme Court election that could directly benefit his own pockets.
Here’s what’s happening, how it impacts us, and what we can do about it.
Trump’s USDA Cuts Leave Food Banks Struggling to Feed Millions
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What’s Happening
The USDA has reportedly halted several million dollars worth of food deliveries to food banks as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to cut costs within the federal government. Food bank leaders in six states cited the Agriculture Department’s move to cancel $500 million in funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
The department also reportedly cut more than $1 billion in planned federal spending for schools and food banks to purchase from local farmers. In California, a delivery of 500,000 pounds of food, which cost roughly $850,000, was halted.
How Are We Impacted
The cuts are set to make it more difficult for food banks to meet the needs of families, as food prices have risen 20 percent since 2020. Roughly 50 million Americans, including 12 million children and 7 million seniors, rely on food pantries and other meal programs to feed themselves and their families.
“We can try to figure out how to make up the gaps, which is a hard lift, or ultimately there’s less food on the table,” Chad Morrison, president of West Virginia’s Mountaineer Food Bank, told Politico.
What Can Be Done
The move is likely to face legal challenges, as it could impact one in seven Americans nationwide. In the meantime, individuals are encouraged to donate to their local food banks and support community organizations on the front lines of hunger relief.
Trump’s HUD Halts Investigations Into Racist Housing Discrimination in Texas
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What’s Happening
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is abandoning several federal investigations involving racial discrimination against Black people in Houston.
Under President Joe Biden, HUD had determined that a Texas state agency diverted $1 billion in disaster mitigation money away from Houston and minority communities following Hurricane Harvey. A second investigation by Biden’s HUD found that a Dallas-area homeowners association enacted new HOA rules that facilitated poor Black people being expelled from their neighborhood.
Despite HUD finding evidence of discrimination, the agency rescinded the case referrals to the Department of Justice—a necessary step to continue pursuing a federal lawsuit.
How Are We Impacted
HUD pulling the cases leaves the state of the years-long investigations in limbo, with no likely path forward for victims to receive compensation or for perpetrators to be held accountable.
Amid the Trump administration’s efforts to end DEI, housing discrimination could run rampant and unchecked in predominantly Black areas and neighborhoods.
What Can Be Done
The two cases haven’t been completely closed, as HUD says they are being reviewed as the Trump administration is “taking a fresh look at Biden administration policies.” Public outcry could help bring these cases back to the forefront and push HUD to move forward in helping the victims receive justice.
Trump Administration Slashes $11.4 Billion in State and Local Health Funding
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What’s Happening
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that they are rescinding $11.4 billion in grants allocated to state and local health departments in the wake of COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday (March 27). “HHS is prioritizing funding projects that will deliver on President Trump’s mandate to address our chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again.”
How Are We Impacted
The grants extended far beyond COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. Local and state health officials had planned to use the funding to prepare for the next emergency, build better infrastructure, monitor wastewater for the spread of disease, keep immunization rates up, and more.
Experts say the decision to pull the funding is a devastating blow to public health across the country, especially in big cities and rural communities. Layoffs are also expected due to the mass reduction in funding.
“This funding isn’t just about COVID—though let’s be clear, COVID is still impacting our community in real ways,” said public health expert Xavier Crockett. “It’s about supporting the very backbone of local public health. Without it, we’re not just underprepared for the next crisis—we’re undercutting the systems that keep our communities safe every single day.”
What Can Be Done
The Trump administration is moving forward with the plan to cut billions of dollars in grants from local and state health agencies. It is crucial to stay informed and track changes that may soon be trickling down to your area, especially if your community relies heavily on public health programs.
Elon Musk Is Trying to Buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court
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What’s Happening
Elon Musk is putting millions into Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race in an effort that critics are calling a blatant power grab. Through two PACs— Building America's Future and America PAC —Musk has reportedly poured over $14 million into supporting conservative candidate Brad Schimel, including spending on TV ads, mailers, canvassing, and digital.
This makes the Wisconsin race the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. And Musk isn't hiding his intentions. He recently posted (then deleted) a message saying he would give away $1 million checks to two random voters who cast a ballot in the race, raising serious legal questions about election bribery. On top of that, Tesla is suing the state of Wisconsin over a ban on direct vehicle sales, and that case could land in front of the very court Musk is trying to shape.
How Are We Impacted
This isn’t just about one state’s judicial race. It’s about how billionaires like Musk are attempting to buy courts, sway elections, and bend the law to serve their interests. If Schimel wins, Musk could be in a position to directly influence rulings tied to his business ventures and political agenda, setting a dangerous precedent. Judicial races are already vulnerable to dark money and low voter turnout, and Musk’s involvement could tilt the scales even further against everyday people, especially Black voters whose rights and protections often depend on fair, independent courts.
What Can Be Done
Election officials and legal experts are already scrutinizing Musk’s conduct. But public awareness is critical. Call out voter bribery for what it is and demand accountability.
Trump’s Executive Order Attacking Voting Rights
Photo: Getty Images North America
What’s Happening
This week, Trump signed a sweeping executive order called "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," targeting federal voting protections.
The executive order would change several election processes to achieve its stated goal. The order requires voters to provide documentation to prove their citizenship, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate. States would also be required to submit voter lists and records of voter list maintenance for review by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump's executive order would additionally set a hard deadline for mail-in ballots to be "cast and received" by Election Day.
In short, the order repeals several Obama-era measures aimed at safeguarding ballot access and mandates a full review of all federal agencies’ involvement in voter registration efforts. It also directs the Department of Justice to prioritize investigations into so-called voter fraud, a widely debunked claim Trump has repeatedly pushed to cast doubt on elections.
The executive order paves the way for increased voter roll purges, more aggressive restrictions on mail-in voting, and pressure on states to adopt stricter ID laws, all under the guise of “election integrity.”
How Are We Impacted
Make no mistake: this is a direct attack on Black and brown voters. From Reconstruction to Jim Crow to today, voter suppression has always evolved with the times, and this executive order is part of the new playbook. It aims to gut federal support for voter access while emboldening states to restrict it even further. Communities of color, people with disabilities, and low-income voters are most likely to be harmed by purges, ID requirements, and reduced access to early and absentee voting.
What Can Be Done
Trump's executive order is likely to face legal challenges. However, we need to meet this order with resistance at every level. Support grassroots voter protection groups, demand that Congress step in to defend federal voting rights, and stay informed on changes happening in your state. Know your rights. Make sure your registration is up to date. And speak out because silence is how suppression wins.
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