How The Haitian Times will navigate the Trump era, part ‘deux’

The day after the presidential elections, I reflected on the challenges ahead for both our country and our community. Just a week earlier, at The Haitian Times’ 25th-anniversary reception, Garry Pierre-Pierre, our founder, announced he would step down on Jan. 1, leaving me with the responsibility of leading this publication into its next chapter. That chapter begins under the Trump-Vance administration, a reality that will profoundly impact the Black immigrant communities we serve and seek to amplify.

Many of us struggled to understand how Donald Trump, the former president and now president-elect, made inroads—though not to the extent he claims—with nearly every demographic across the country, including the Haitian community, despite his overtly offensive comments and harmful policies toward immigrants, particularly Haitians.

During his first term, Trump was openly critical of the Haitian community, questioning the value of Haitian immigrants in the United States. Despite this, in the 2024 election, Trump managed to gain traction within the Haitian American electorate.

Throughout the election, we spoke with Haitian voters across the country—from New York to Ohio, Pennsylvania to Florida—uncovering a more complex story of support for Trump. Their reasons went beyond simple partisan lines or the traditional boundaries of black and white. Voters cited economic concerns or frustration with the political status quo as driving forces behind their decisions, rather than alignment with Trump’s divisive rhetoric or policies. In their words, they were voting with their “pockets.”

Confronted with this reality—a polarizing leader now re-elected, and factions of our community who supported him—I began to grapple with a critical question: How do we, as journalists, remain true to our mission of serving the Haitian diaspora while tackling the complexities of this moment?

At The Haitian Times, our mission has always been to bridge gaps—not just geographically between Haitians in Haiti and the diaspora, but also informationally. We strive to contextualize news, explain policies, and report on stories that impact our readers no matter where they are. This guiding principle will be more important than ever as we navigate coverage of a Trump presidency and a divided nation.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as a new administration takes office, we are reminded of Dr. King’s call for justice and truth in the face of adversity. His words—“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”—are a powerful reminder of the journalist’s role in speaking truth to power, exposing lies, and holding leaders accountable. Upholding this responsibility is vital as we confront the challenges of this new era.

That role, however, is under increasing pressure. Journalists and news organizations are bracing for renewed hostility from an administration that has openly declared the press an “enemy of the people.” Legal challenges, physical threats, and digital harassment are no longer hypotheticals but expected realities, as evidenced by the attacks The Haitian Times faced last September for reporting on false claims about the Haitian community in Springfield, OH. 

As news executives across the country sound the alarm, we are heeding the warning and preparing ourselves mentally and journalistically to defend our work. This includes safeguarding our independence with libel insurance, fortifying digital protections, and ensuring our journalists can operate without fear of intimidation.

As this administration takes power, The Haitian Times will double down on truth-telling, emphasizing clarity and context in our reporting. An independent and free press is more vital than ever, particularly as Trump’s history of antagonism toward journalists suggests a period of heightened scrutiny for all of us in the industry. 

In December, The Associated Press reported that the new administration may challenge libel protections, seek to unmask anonymous sources, and reverse policies that have shielded journalists from legal threats. Knowing these risks, we are preparing to defend our work in every way possible. At the same time, we are committed to remaining grounded in our mission. 

Our audience is diverse—some may support Trump, while others may not. Our role is not to judge but to inform, ensuring that our reporting is factual and provides context, allowing readers to form their own opinions.

As we move forward, The Haitian Times will continue to tell the stories that matter most to our community, offering nuanced perspectives and creating space for thoughtful dialogue. Our goal is to empower readers with the information they need to foster understanding and civic engagement, no matter the political moment.

This commitment means staying close to the ground, reporting on Haitian communities as they evolve across the Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, and in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Ohio. We will track Trump’s immigration policies, examining their implications for Haitians in the U.S., while also exploring how U.S.-Haiti relations, including the Biden-Harris-supported MSS mission, affect Haitians abroad.

Dr. King once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” 

As journalists, we have an obligation to continue telling the truth, even in the face of hostility. Our responsibility is to shine a light on the issues that matter to Haitians everywhere, to amplify voices that might otherwise be ignored, and to defend the principles of a free and independent press.

Together, we will meet this moment with courage, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to the truth.

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