The Fate of Black Colleges Post-Omarosa

The Trump administration’s relationship with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) started with a lot of flash and a little substance. Dozens of black educators in the Oval Office for a photo opportunity with the president. An executive order on black colleges that didn’t live up to expectations. And a host of unforced errors.

Black college leaders and their advocates, though, remained cautiously optimistic. After all, they weren’t exactly thrilled with the Obama, and have requested more federal support—but it wasn’t suggesting cutting funds either, and it supported a bipartisan budget deal that increased HBCU spending. And, above all else, they thought, they had the president’s ear—and that was due in large part to Omarosa Manigault-Newman’s presence in the West Wing.