Lifelong Democrat BET Founder Robert Johnson: No One Is “Capable Of Beating Trump” In 2020

Here's more from Johnson's CNBC interview:

The next U.S. presidential election is Donald Trump’s to lose despite some polls suggesting the president is behind several of his potential Democratic challengers, entrepreneur and media mogul Robert Johnson said on Friday.

“I think the president has always been in a position where it’s his to lose based on his bringing a sort of disruptive force into what would be called political norms,” Johnson, who founded cable network BET and RLJ Companies business network, told CNBC’s Hadley Gamble.

He explained that Trump “brings his style” to the way he handles issues such as in foreign policy or immigration. That’s something that the president’s supporters like and the reason why they voted for him and will do so again next year, added Johnson.

Trump’s ability to “dominate the news cycle” also puts him above his challengers, according to Johnson. He explained that Democrats often gets caught up and agitated over what Trump says, and then lose focus on substance. In addition, he said none of the Democratic presidential candidates appear to be “enough in the center” where most voters are, particularly African-American voters.

“If you take a snapshot today, I don’t think that group is capable of beating Trump despite what the polls say,” he said.

The Houston Chronicle also said the following about Johnson's prediction for 2020:

BET founder Robert Johnson, a lifelong Democrat and America's first black billionaire, has assessed the Democratic contenders in next year's presidential election. And he doesn't like what he sees.

                

"If you take a snapshot today, I don't think that group is capable of beating Donald Trump, despite what the polls say," Johnson told CNBC in an interview.

                

"I think the president has always been in a position where it's his to lose."

                

Despite his politics, Johnson has praised the Trump economy, particularly a rise in African American employment, though it remains lower than white employment rates.

And he has sided with many conservatives, including Trump, in saying Democratic politicians have moved too far left.

                

He told CNBC he sees a "double effect" of Trump's incendiary comments and rhetoric that fires up his base. Democrats react strongly, he said, which puts the president's supporters on defense and adds to his support.

                                                                                                        

"I do not see anybody in the Democratic primary race today that is enough in the center where I believe most are the voters are, and particularly where most African Americans are," Johnson told CNBC.