Rep. James Clyburn described Donald Trump as “an American” who “carries certain American values that are anathema to most black people.” | AP Photo Clyburn compares Trump to Strom Thurmond

Rep. James Clyburn, the highest-ranking African-American member of the House, compared his ability to work with President Donald Trump to his relationship with Strom Thurmond, the longtime segregationist senator from South Carolina.

“Strom Thurmond and I were good friends,” Clyburn said Tuesday, despite Thurmond's attitudes on race.


Clyburn was responding to a question about whether he would be able to work cooperatively with Trump on issues of bipartisan interest. In response, Clyburn — a Democrat from South Carolina — noted his history of working with Thurmond.

Clyburn described Trump as “an American” who “carries certain American values that are anathema to most black people.”

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Asked to clarify his comments on Trump, Clyburn said, “There are certain values that certain Americans have that are anathema to me as a black person. Strom Thurmond had ’em.”

“But you still worked with him anyway?” a reporter replied.

“Hell yeah,” Clyburn said.

Clyburn said he could support tax reform proposals from Trump if they don’t disproportionately favor the “investor class.”

