A top pastor in Donald Trump’s campaign who spoke at the Republican convention tweeted images of Hillary Clinton in dreadlocks and blackface Monday, arguing she panders to get African American votes.
Pastor Mark Burns, who is black, said that the Democratic nominee “uses” black people for their votes, and included a drawing of the former Secretary of State in blackface, holding a sign that says “#@!** the police,” and wearing a shirt that says “no hot sauce, no peace.”
Later in the day, he re-tweeted a doctored meme of Clinton with dreadlocks.
Burns apologized for the tweets on Tuesday morning, while repeating his argument that Democrats are using black voters.
“I’m so sorry for the offensive #Blackface image of @HillaryClinton but stand by the message that we Blacks ARE being Used by #Dems for VOTES,” he posted.
Burns’s tweets come as the candidates have escalated their attacks against each other on this issue. Trump has recently said African Americans are a “focal point” of his campaign, and has called Clinton a “bigot.” Last week, Trump released a new Instagram video pointing to Clinton’s 2008 struggles to win over black voters just one day after she gave a speech calling him “a man with a long history of racial discrimination.”
A recent NBC News/Survey Monkey poll found Trump with just 8% support among black voters.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
- Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
- Why We're Spending So Much Money Now
- The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To
- Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris
- Why TV Can’t Stop Making Silly Shows About Lady Journalists
- The Case for Wearing Shoes in the House
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Tessa Berenson at tessa.Rogers@time.com