For much of the past nine decades, Democrats have depended on African Americans as an essential segment of their electoral base.

Yet in a phenomenon which could prove disastrous for Vice President Kamala Harris, a growing number of black voters seem to be resigning from the party.  

Rep. James Clyburn "concerned" by Trump's outreach to African Americans

According to Breitbart, that uncomfortable fact came up this past weekend during an appearance by South Carolina Democratic Rep. James Clyburn on CNN's "State of the Union."

At one point in the interview, host Dana Bash asked Clyburn if recent efforts by former President Donald Trump to reach black men had left him feeling concerned.

.@RepJamesClyburn tells @DanaBashCNN, “Yes, I am concerned about Black men staying home or voting for Trump.” pic.twitter.com/Unj6bftip7

— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) October 13, 2024

"Yes, I am concerned about black men staying home or voting for Trump," the longtime South Carolina lawmaker told Bash.

Black men "want to know exactly what I can expect from a Harris administration"

"But my concerns don't tend to keep me from being energetic about this campaign because I was in Michigan campaigning with [Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell] last weekend," Clyburn recalled.

"I thought I our swing through Michigan was very, very effective. I met with black men, I met with black religious leaders met black union leaders,"  he continued

"And quite frankly, I think we had very frank and direct discussions. And I see and feel what I'm reading about in news reports," Clyburn stated.

"Yes. Black men, like everybody else, want to know exactly what I can expect from a Harris administration and I've been very direct with them," he acknowledged.

The congressman then went on to allege that should the former president once again enter the White House then African Americans will be subjected to "Jim Crow 2.0."

Poll shows Trump gaining ground among young African American men

Reuters reported last month that a poll commissioned by the NAACP found just over one out of every five black men under the age of 50 plan to cast a ballot for Trump whereas 49% support Harris.

Those figures stand in sharp contrast to the preferences voiced by black women, among whom just 8% are backing the former president.

Harris also seems to be doing better with older black men, with the poll showing that 77% would like to see her take the oath of office.