Story perspectives

Black Farmers Reject Trump's $12B Aid as Racist

12/15/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, calling it racist and planning an injunction, with payments set to begin in late February 2026.
Thomas Burrell, president of the association, says the program ignores historical inequities and excludes many Black farmers, especially those in certain crops.
The White House defends the program as essential aid for farmers.

History

Historical Context

In 1920, Black farmers owned only 14% of U.S. farmland, a decline from 1910, reflecting systemic inequities. The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, led by Thomas Burrell, criticized the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program for excluding many Black farmers. This ongoing exclusion underscores persistent racial disparities in agricultural support, potentially leading to legal challenges and calls for reform in federal agricultural policies.

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Story summary

The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, calling it racist and planning an injunction, with payments set to begin in late February 2026.
Thomas Burrell, president of the association, says the program ignores historical inequities and excludes many Black farmers, especially those in certain crops.
The White House defends the program as essential aid for farmers.

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