Democratic Maryland Senate Rep. David Trone made a racial slur during a House meeting, but claimed he was just trying to say “bugaboo.”
Trone, 68, was discussing Democratic tax policy with Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Budget and Management, when he used the offensive term.
The congressman told Young, who is a black woman: “So this Republican ji***** that it’s the tax rate that stops business investment, that’s just completely wrong from people who have never run a business.”
Trone didn’t stop and didn’t seem to notice what he had said – but was later forced to apologize. tell Fox News Digital it was a slip of the tongue.
Pleading his innocence, he said: “Today, when trying to use the word ‘bugaboo’ in a hearing, I used an offensive phrase.”
Rep. David Trone was speaking about Democratic tax policy when he used the offensive term. The congressman told Young, who is a black woman: “So this Republican thing that it’s the tax rate that stops business investment, that’s just completely wrong on the part of people who have never run a business.
Trone, 68, was discussing Democratic tax policy with Shalanda Young (pictured), director of the Office of Budget and Management, when he used the offensive term.
A bugaboo means an object of fear – while the word he used is a historical and derogatory insult towards black people.
Trone spoke with Young as she testified before the committee on tax policy. He did not immediately correct himself following the insult – but was later reprimanded online for his comments.
In his apology, he added: “This word has a long and dark history. It should never be used anytime, anywhere, in any conversation.
“I recognize that as a white man I have privilege. And as an elected official, I have responsibility for the words I use, especially in the heat of the moment.
“No matter what I wanted to say, I shouldn’t have used that language.”
One person took to social media after seeing the clip of him at the hearing and wrote: “Rep. David Trone must explain to TF why he used the word j****** during a budget hearing today.
“I looked at his comments in context and using that word was totally bizarre.
“No, it wasn’t racial, but since that’s not the kind of word that should even come to mind, I look at it sideways.
“Since his ads portray him as a racial justice warrior, he *should* know better!” »
Another reviewer added: “Words like this only get out of hand if you’ve used them before. Maybe even regularly.
And a third added: “Sorry, nothing excuses him, whatever he meant.” He said it. He is racist and evil forever. These are the rules.
Trone is pictured with Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott (center)
Trone (left) is seen with Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House
Trone is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and has told associates he would be willing to spend $50 million of his personal fortune to secure the Senate seat.
He said: “So this Republican bullshit that it’s the tax rate that stops business investment, that’s just completely wrong from people who have never run a business.”
U.S. Rep. David Trone, currently running for Senate in Maryland, threatened to kill a deliveryman at his liquor store, according to a newly uncovered police report.
This isn’t the first time Trone has sparked controversy with his comments.
Last year, he allegedly threatened to “terminate” a delivery driver in a fit of anger at his liquor store, according to a police report.
Trone, D-Md., who made his fortune as co-founder and co-owner of the privately held national wine and spirits retailer Total Wine and More, was in one of his stores in Tempe, Ariz., in December 2021, when Crown Distributing merchandiser Crescent Cody Huard and his colleague Hunter Olsen were delivering products.
He allegedly threatened to “end” and “execute” Huard during a heated altercation that began when Trone became upset merchandise was piled on the floor.
Huard called the police because he “felt threatened by the incident,” but Trone left before police arrived, according to a police report first reported by The Spectator.
Trone is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and has told associates he would be willing to spend $50 million of his personal fortune to secure the seat in the Senate.
He is a top Democratic donor in other campaigns and has given tens of millions to philanthropic efforts, including $15 million to the ACLU.
The alcohol business mogul spent $16 million in an unsuccessful bid to win a House seat in suburban Washington, D.C. in 2016, losing to Rep. Jamie Raskin.
He then spent another $17 million to run for a neighboring House seat in 2018 and won.