‘Incredible’: Trump praises Tim Scott’s work on opportunity zones during debate 

ATLANTA (WCBD)- Former President Donald Trump gave Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) a shout-out during Thursday’s presidential debate, fueling speculation that he could be Trump’s running mate. 

Trump referred to one of Scott’s prominent economic initiatives, opportunity zones, as “one of the most successful economic developments ever in the country.” 

“Tim Scott who’s incredible. He did a great job,” Trump said. “A great senator from South Carolina.” 

“He came to me with the idea, it was a great idea. It’s one of the most successful development acts ever in the country, opportunity zones,” he added. “And the biggest beneficiaries are blacks, and that’s why we have the best numbers with them in maybe ever.”

In 2020, Scott introduced legislation creating opportunity zones through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was touted as a way to spur economic growth by offering tax benefits to businesses that invest in rural and low-income communities.

It became a key piece of legislation that Trump worked with Scott on when he was in the White House.

According to Scott, “Opportunity Zones put the decision-making in the hands of state and local leaders who know their communities best. This incentive aims to lift entire communities out of poverty.” 

Some Democrats, however, argue the initiative amounts to handouts to wealthy investors and large corporations and does little to spur job creation as claimed.

Both Trump and President Biden are ramping up outreach efforts to Black voters, hoping to shore up support ahead of November.

Scott, the lone Black Republican in the Senate, recently launched a $14 million campaign targeting minority voters in several swing states.

He has been floated as a potential vice-presidential pick for Trump since spending his own campaign last year.

Trump has often joked that Scott has made a better surrogate than he did a candidate.