Donald Trump is appealing to African-American voters with a message that rival Hillary Clinton has slammed as "so ignorant it's staggering".
The US Republican presidential nominee and former Celebrity Apprentice host has promised to do more for racial minorities in the US than President Barack Obama has.
"You're living in poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs - what the hell do you have to lose?" Mr Trump said to black voters, while speaking to an almost all-white crowd.
"Look how much African-American communities have suffered under Democratic control. Democratic crime policies, education policies and economic policies have produced only more crime."
Ms Clinton responded to Mr Trump's comments with this tweet:
The billionaire businessman admitted the Republican Party "must do better" with its outreach to the African-American community.
"In recent days, across this country, I've asked the African-American community to honour me with their vote," he told his supporters at a rally in Virginia.
"I fully recognise the outreach to the African-American community is at an area where the Republican Party must do better, and it will do better. The GOP is the party of Abraham Lincoln. And I want our party to be the home of the African-American voter once again.
"My goal is to provide every African-American child in our country with access to the ladder of American success. That means good education and a great paying job."
So far, the new charm offensive isn't working. Only 2 percent of African-American voters prefer Mr Trump, with 85 percent in favour of Ms Clinton, according to a recent poll.
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