Speaking with both Atlanta News First and News 11 Alive, the Black owner of an Georgia barbershop claimed he was suckered into becoming part of a Donald Trump campaign event after the former president's aides got him to host what he thought would be a private business roundtable aimed at boosting Black businesses.
According to Rocky Jones, owner of Rocky's Barbershop in Buckhead, he was blindsided when Trump called to the get-together and the exchange was filmed and used to promote the former president who was in town for his debate with President Joe Biden.
Speaking with ANF, he bluntly stated, "I feel like I have been betrayed,” after stating, "Mind my business and serve and give haircuts back to the community and have good conversations; it’s never been about politics.”
According to 11 Alive, "Jones explained how the event came to be: it started with a text message, followed by a phone call while he was out of the country. He agreed to host what he thought would be a small, private gathering for Black small business owners. Instead, the event turned into a crowded affair, with Trump surrogates like Ben Carson and a surprise phone call from Trump himself."
“I thought it was going to be something real private,” Jones said. “I'm thinking about Black businesses in Atlanta, small Black businesses in Atlanta. And I'm like, 'Ok, so when are we gonna start talking about this?'” he said in an interview before adding, "I'm like, why is the ex-president calling somebody in my barbershop? This has nothing to do with small Black businesses.”
The businessman explained business has been impacted negatively after the video was released.
"We had some calls Thursday. We definitely got some calls, some backlash, some angry people that don't know me and I have to deal with that,” he said. "I have no involvement in politics. We don't even talk politics in my barbershop. It's all sports. The World Cup, soccer, baseball, basketball – politics is not what I do. I commend everybody to vote, but that's your business. 'You know, I don't tell you what to do.'"
You can watch the interview with Rocky Jones from News 11 below or at the link.
Barbershop owner feels misled by Trump event youtu.be
