Congressman apologizes for using racial slur instead of saying 'bugaboo'

[Celerity]

U.S. Senate hopeful Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) made the comment while discussing tax rates in a budget hearing

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/03/21/david-trone-congress-racial-insult/

https://archive.is/GwLVM



Senate hopeful Rep. David Trone (D) used a racial slur during a congressional budget hearing Thursday and later apologized, saying he misspoke and did not know what the word meant. Trone dropped a derogatory word for Black people into a brief speech praising President Biden’s tax proposals toward the end of a friendly exchange with the director of the Office of Budget and Management. After explaining that corporate tax rates did not influence how he invested hundred of millions in his national liquor company, Trone continued:

The slur is among the derogatory terms used to caricature Black people. After being contacted by The Washington Post hours after the remark, Trone apologized in a statement. “Today while attempting to use the word bugaboo in a hearing, I misspoke and mistakenly used a phrase that is offensive. Upon learning the meaning of the word I was deeply disappointed to have accidentally used it, and I apologize,” the statement said.

Trone, 68, is a leading Democrat in the May 14 primary race to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and represent the most diverse state on the East Coast. Polling released this week shows the race is wide open, with 39 percent of primary voters undecided and Trone leading his chief opponent, Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D) by 7 percentage points. The winner is likely to face former Maryland governor Larry Hogan (R) in November’s general election.

snip

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. People who don't use jigaboo in ordinary conversation don't make Thune's mistake

It exposes that he must have a habit of using it in private conversations.

Which exposes his real attitudes.

[Carlitos Brigante]

16. "Rep. David Trone (D)" nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

21. Thanks. . . .nt

[Carlitos Brigante]

22. .

.

[Paladin]

2. "Upon learning the meaning of the word..."

BullSHIT.

[xmas74]

14. When you read the sentence with the context

Around it I could see where bugaboo would possibly fit but the word used does not. What he used doesn't fit the context of the sentence. It could be a word he unfortunately heard growing up and thought it meant something else.
I admittedly thought lesbian was another word for actor until I was 15. It never dawned on me that there was a specific word for women. We get things stuck in our heads, etched in during childhood and they don't go away for a very long time.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. No one told him at the time??

[oasis]

4. I smell toast burning.

[Coventina]

5. I can honestly say that I don't ever remember hearing that word.

If I had heard his comments, I would have just thought he scrambled "bugaboo."

I wonder how I've been ignorant of that one?
I've heard and know about many others (sadly).

[LakeVermilion]

6. On the other hand,

it is an apology. It wasn't one of those " I apologize if you were offended" statements.

Just sayin'.

[LearnedHand]

7. Someone from Maryland doesn't know what that word means?

I mean, he could be telling the truth but it sure strains credulity.

[Iris]

8. I have removed many words from my vocabulary

Last edited Fri Mar 22, 2024, 02:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Sometimes after using them in conversation and realizing a word I heard growing up might be derogatory . Other times, I may think of a word or popular phrase that sounds "wrong" to me and so I look it up and remove it from my vocabulary.

What I'm trying to say is it is hard work to try to chip away at the inherent bias most white people have and it is work that is ongoing. I depend on others extending me grace and try to do the same.

[yardwork]

11. Yes. I abandoned the word "denigrate." Too easily misunderstood.

The history of that word has nothing to do with racism but it's just too easily misunderstood.

[Sympthsical]

9. Eh, people do this

Mishear words, then go to use them in a sentence and it doesn't turn out well. It's clear from context what he was aiming for. My best friend, bless his heart, tries to repeat words he hears to expand his vocabulary, I think. But it often goes sideways, generally in amusing ways. His latest was telling me about a really bad date he was on. It ended with, "Anyway, he's exed." I replied, "You went on one date. Not really enough to consider an ex." He looked at me blankly. "No, I won't forget him. He's exed."

I stared for a solid three seconds.

"Do you mean etched?"

He does this all the time. One of my favorite quirks about him. The man is walking unintentional wordplay.

As far as the jig word. Kind of archaic. This might be the first time I've seen or heard it in use in about 15 years. I always associated it with old timey Southern racial slurs. Maryland? Maybe. Lincoln did have to hold their legislature at gunpoint. But it's so out of use, I'm open to the idea he had no idea what he was saying. People can be like that.

[yardwork]

10. I started to post this and deleted it several times.

It's possible that this is a word that's "etched" into this southern Democrat's brain because he heard it a lot as a child. That doesn't necessarily mean he uses it now. It could be a genuine mistake and not a sign that he's a secret racist.

He's not a Republican. If he wanted to be a racist politician in MD he has a clear path. He's chosen to be. a Democratic politician. If I were his constituent I would forgive this instance but keep an eye on him.

[Sympthsical]

12. It's the context for me

It is so clearly meant to be bugaboo based on how he used it. I will follow Elizabeth I, who was both wise and murderous, and not try to make a window into his soul. And his apology wasn't hedging. I think he was probably mortified once someone explained it. I almost feel bad for him.

(Nice "etched" hand off!)

[ificandream]

13. I think his apology was sincere.

This is not a word that is used often or even a little. I don't want to speculate on how he heard it, but I think he really confused the word.

[kacekwl]

15. Stupid remark

if he knew the word but he apologized. Let's make sure we throw him out right away because we all know every politician who says anything intentionally or not must be removed, right.

[NanaCat]

17. I knew what the actual term would be

But I checked to be sure of it, anyway.

The racist GQP are consistent. I'll give them that.

[MagickMuffin]

18. A Democratic candidate said it and apologized

So

Not a republican this time. Plus if a republican had said it they would have doubled down on the word.

[edhopper]

19. He's

a Democrat

[edhopper]

20. He is my age

and I take him at his word. I often use the wrong word when I mean another. Usually not with an offensive one, but I could see it happening with no intent to use it.