Tiger Woods, Tim Scott, Sage Steele attend Trump’s Black History Month event

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump hosted a Black History Month celebration at the White House on Thursday, continuing a long-standing tradition. 

The East Room event brought together Black political figures, activists, athletes and entertainers who have publicly supported Trump. 

White House Black History Month event guestlist

What we know:

Trump arrived at the event alongside golf legend Tiger Woods. 

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 20: U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by golf legend Tiger Woods, speaks during a reception honoring Black History Month in the East Room of the White House on February 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Black History Month c

Expand

"Welcome to the White House. And we proudly celebrate Black History Month," Trump said.

"Today, we pay tribute to the generations of Black legends, champions, warriors and patriots who helped drive our country forward to greatness. And you really are great, great people," he added. 

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Rep. John James, R-Mich., and prison reform advocate Alice Johnson, whom Trump pardoned in 2020, were also in attendance – in addition to Alveda King, niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and former NFL player Herschel Walker, the recently appointed U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas. 

Johnson had spent more than two decades serving life without parole for a nonviolent drug offense before Trump granted her clemency.

On Thursday, Trump called her out by name in his remarks and said he’s going to bring her into his administration.

"She’s going to be my pardon czar," he said.

Prominent figures from the sports and entertainment industries were present as well, including former ESPN host Sage Steele, ex-NFL player Jack Brewer, and rap artists Kodak Black, Lil Boosie, and Rod Wave, according to a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity with the Associated Press.

Related

article

Trump nominates Herschel Walker as U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Herschel Walker as the United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

The event, originally scheduled for last week but postponed due to inclement weather, comes amid Trump’s efforts to eliminate DEI programs from federal agencies, calling them "discrimination" and advocating for a strict merit-based system. 

His administration has directed agencies to lay off DEI personnel and curtail identity-based observances, leading to confusion over how Black History Month should be recognized in federal offices.

Trump's Black History Month proclamation

Despite these policies, Trump recently signed a National Black History Month proclamation, encouraging Americans to commemorate the month with "appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities." However, his administration’s broader stance has led agencies such as the Department of Transportation to cancel participation in identity-based celebrations, and the State Department to shift focus away from "political and cultural causes."

The White House maintains that individual agencies have discretion in recognizing Black History Month. Meanwhile, schools and universities face pressure to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal funding. The corporate sector has also scaled back DEI efforts in response to potential legal challenges under the administration’s policies.

Black History Month has been recognized by every U.S. president since 1976, including Trump during his first term.