Trump links death of NBA star's cousin to black vote

Donald Trump said that tragedies like the death of NBA star Dwyane Wade's cousin were one of the reasons that African-Americans will vote for the Republican presidential nominee.

"Dwayne Wade's cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will Vote Trump!" he tweeted on Saturday, misspelling Wade's first name.

Trump later deleted the tweet and posted an update with Wade's name spelled correctly, CNN reported.

He later added, "My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family, on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts and prayers."

Aldridge was fatally shot by a stray bullet Friday afternoon while pushing a stroller down a street in Chicago's South Side. The child was not injured, CNN reported.

Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, criticised Trump for linking Aldridge with the African-American vote, saying the only appropriate response to Aldridge's death was sympathy.

Trump has been courting African-American voters by painting a dire picture of life in minority communities, one troubled by poverty, violence and dysfunction, especially in "inner cities."

Other Democrats -- including Clinton -- have criticised Trump's tone and rhetoric about African-American issues as insensitive and have questioned his commitment to black voters.

A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed Clinton beating Trump 91 per cent-1 per cent among African-Americans, CNN added.

--IANS

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