A UFC fighter grabs the microphone after his victory, leans into the camera, and screams a tired playground lie about Michelle Obama. Most brace for digital meltdown from social media. That explosion never came. And honestly, that’s the point.
MAGA supporters have long weaponized controversial stunts, hateful conspiracy theories, and straight-up lies to provoke Black Americans. But those tactics draw a different kind of response now. We’ve grown weary. We know the facts. We’re too busy building in our own lane, and we’re not falling for the bait anymore. So let’s address the most common lies circulating about Michelle Obama, Black fathers, DEI, and countless other topics where the narrative doesn’t match reality.
Attacks on Michelle Obama and Black Women’s Looks
On June 14, UFC fighter Josh Hokit claimed that “Michelle Obama is a man” during a post-fight interview at the White House, according to the Guardian. It’s the kind of rumor that’s been recycled endlessly about Mrs. Obama and other brilliant Black women like Serena and Venus Williams. But here’s what’s shifted: these attacks aren’t landing anymore. They’re boring. They’re childish. They’re racist behavior from America’s most hateful, and everyone knows it.
We know these women are talented, fierce, and game changers in their fields. The narrative doesn’t matter because the facts speak louder.
The “Deadbeat Dad” Myth
Another false rumor about the Black community: that all Black fathers are deadbeats. A 2013 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed Black fathers are some of the most active dads in the United States compared to white and Hispanic fathers. The research is clear, yet the stereotype persists.
We see this truth in amazing Black celebrity dads like A$AP Rocky, Jay-Z, Barack Obama, and Russell Wilson, who show that fatherhood is something they take pride in. But beyond the famous names, countless Black fathers across the country are showing up for their families every single day, building legacies grounded in ancestral roots and freedom struggle.
The Welfare Stigma
Black people are often cast as those who use government aid programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the most. According to Al Jazeera, white Americans actually make up the largest racial group on government welfare programs at 35.4 percent. African Americans account for 25.7 percent, Hispanic people at 15.6 percent, and Asian people at 3.9 percent.
So why does the stigma attach itself to Black Americans? It serves no purpose other than to stir up racial stereotypes that are false. The numbers don’t support the narrative, but the narrative persists anyway.
The DEI Weaponization
At the start of his presidency, Donald Trump made it clear that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives had to go because he claimed they placed unqualified Black people in positions they didn’t deserve. Yet the data tells a different story entirely. The biggest beneficiaries of DEI have been white women, not Black Americans.
According to reporting, 76 percent of chief diversity officer roles are held by white people, with 54 percent of that being white women. That same group also holds 19 percent of C-suite positions, while only 4 percent of women of color hold those same positions. Black people have always had to work twice as hard just for a spot in the room. The conversation around DEI isn’t what it seems.
Fake Black History Lessons
MAGA lawmakers have stripped Black history from school curricula while claiming slavery taught useful life skills. While these efforts attempt to cover up the truth, African Americans have kept history alive for centuries through oral traditions and spoken word.
According to Aberystwyth University in the U.K., while enslaved Black people were not allowed to read or write, their passing down of stories helped African Americans maintain an accurate portrayal of Black history. Those traditions remain the foundation of how we understand our past today.
The “Historically Black Colleges are Second Rate” Slur
Donald Trump once claimed he saved HBCUs, stating the institutions had no funding and that previous administrations ignored them. But according to PolitiFact, HBCUs receive funding through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements as well as through federal mechanisms. Private HBCUs also receive funding through tuition and private gifts.
Beyond funding, while HBCUs are often looked down upon, they produce 50 percent of Black lawyers in America, 70 percent of Black doctors, and 80 percent of Black judges, according to the Indianapolis Recorder. That’s an impressive feat considering HBCUs make up 3 percent of the country’s colleges and universities and enroll 10 percent of Black American students. These institutions deliver excellence.
The “Illegal Immigrants are Taking Black Jobs” Trap
Some Republicans have pushed the false idea that immigrants are taking Black American jobs as a way to divide the nation. According to PBS, a study by economists found that undocumented immigrants do not take jobs from American citizens. They often work in agricultural fields doing jobs most citizens don’t want to do. Additionally, there are more jobs available than workers in manual labor fields, PBS reported.
A 2023 study by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the majority of Black Americans work in professional or managerial positions at 36 percent, followed by 22 percent in service, 20 percent in sales and office, and 5 percent in natural resources, construction, and maintenance. The employment picture looks very different from the narrative being sold.
The “Crime-Ridden Inner City” Playbook
Back in 2016, Donald Trump claimed that inner cities largely run by Democrats with high Black populations are more dangerous than war zones. “We’ll get rid of the crime. You’ll be able to walk down the street without getting shot. Now, you walk down the street, you get shot,” he said at a presidential rally, according to the Guardian.
Here’s what’s actually true: Rural counties in the United States have the highest rates of gun-related deaths, according to the Center for American Progress. Cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York have lower rates of gun violence. The data contradicts the fear-based narrative.
The Fake “Patriotism” and Flag Worship
Black people are often criticized for not proudly waving the flag or for taking a knee during the national anthem. Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 protest drew intense criticism from MAGA supporters and Trump, who said he was disrespecting America.
But let’s be clear: Black people built America, fought in the Revolutionary War for the country to gain its independence, and have consistently worked to make the United States better for all. A critique of the U.S. isn’t a lack of patriotism. It’s a push to make the nation stronger.
The “Black People Don’t Buy Real Estate” Myth
Black people get the reputation that we’re materialistic and don’t invest wealth into essentials. That’s not supported by data from the National Association of Realtors. Black Americans saw the largest annual increase in homeownership between 2012 and 2023. Despite being set back for centuries and facing higher mortgage denial rates, Black folks are minding their business and climbing the property ladder.
The “Democrats Started the KKK” Distortion
MAGA often tries to draw Black people away from supporting Democrats by claiming the Democratic Party started the KKK. It’s a ploy to confuse voters who don’t know political party history.
USA Today cleared this up. While the KKK was founded in late 1865 by ex-Confederate soldiers including Richard Reed, John Lester, John Kennedy, and Frank McCord, it was established as a private vigilante group, not an official creation of the Democratic Party. Context matters, and historical truth cuts through the noise.
Donald Trump Is To Thank For The First Step Act
Donald Trump likes to take credit for specific legislative achievements, including the First Step Act, a 2018 bipartisan criminal justice reform law. “I did criminal justice reform, nobody else. I did it. Without me, you don’t have criminal justice reform,” he said, according to the Center for American Progress.
Black activists, lawmakers, and community members played a huge part in pushing this bill forward to Trump’s desk. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West served as significant players in making the criminal justice reform bill happen, according to TIME. The work of many built this victory, not one person.
The “Inflation is Exclusively a Current Administration Problem” Lie
MAGA attempts to mock Black intelligence by claiming inflation and rising costs on household essentials are caused by programs that help working-class people. This narrative widens the divide between upper- and lower-class folks, but it’s not supported by economic analysis.
A 2023 Brookings Institution inflation report showed that the spike in prices since the 2020 global pandemic is due to supply chain breakdowns and raised prices on goods and services without corresponding wage increases. The economy is more complex than soundbites allow for.
So we’re not falling for it anymore. We know the facts. We’re building our own futures, supporting each other’s queer identity and lived experiences, and refusing to let fear-based narratives divide us. That’s where our energy is going.
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