Maryland Senate frontrunner utters racial slur during House meeting – but Democrat pleads his innocence and claims he was trying to say ‘bugaboo’

Maryland’s Democratic Senate frontrunner, David Trone, used a racial slur during a House meeting but claimed he was just trying to say “bugaboo.”

Trone, 68, was discussing Democratic tax policies with Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Budget and Management, when he used the offensive term.

The congressman told Young, who is a Black woman, “So this Republican ji***** that it’s the tax rate that’s holding back business investment is just completely wrong for people who have never run a business.”

Trone did not pause and did not appear to notice what he had said, but he was later forced to apologize. tells Fox News Digital it was a slip of the tongue.

Pleading his innocence, he said: “When I tried to use the word ‘bugaboo’ at a hearing today, I used an offensive phrase.”

Trone, 68, was discussing Democratic tax policies with Shalanda Young (pictured), director of the Office of Budget and Management, when he used the offensive term

A bugaboo means an object of fear – while the word Trone used is a disparaging historical slur for black people.

Trone spoke with Young as she testified before the committee about tax policy. He did not immediately correct himself after the slur, but was blasted online afterwards for his words.

The Maryland politician is known for his strong stance on racial justice — and has posted regularly about the Black Lives Matter movement over the past four years.

In his apology, he added: “That word has a long, dark, terrible history. It should never be used anywhere, in any conversation.

“I recognize that as a white man I have privilege. And as an elected official, I have a responsibility for the words I use – especially in the heat of the moment.

“Whatever I meant to say, I shouldn’t have used that language.”

One person took to social media after seeing the clip of him at the hearing and wrote, “Rep. David Trone must explain why TF used the word j****** during a budget hearing today.

“I looked at his comments in context and the use of that word was completely bizarre.

Trone is pictured with Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott (center)

Congressman Trone (left) is seen with Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives

Trone, 68, stands with his wife June (right) and daughter Michelle

The Maryland politician is known for his strong stance on racial justice — and has posted regularly about the Black Lives Matter movement over the past four years.

“No, it wasn’t racist, but since that’s not the kind of word you should have in your head to slip out, I look at him sideways.

“Since his ads portray him as a fighter for racial justice, he should know better!”

Another critic added: ‘Words like this only escape you if you’ve used them before. Maybe even regularly.’

And a third added: ‘Sorry, nothing excuses it, it doesn’t matter what he meant. He said it. He is forever racist and evil. Those are the rules.’

It’s not the first time Trone has caused controversy with his comments.

He allegedly threatened to “terminate” a delivery driver in a rampage at his wine and liquor store last year, according to a police report.

Trone is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and has told colleagues he is willing to spend $50 million of his personal fortune to secure the Senate seat.

He said: ‘So this Republican nonsense that it’s the tax rate that’s holding back business investment, it’s just completely false to people who have never run a business before’

Trone, D-Md., who made his fortune as co-founder and co-owner of Total Wine and More, the nation’s privately held wine and spirits retailer, was at one of his retail store locations in December 2021 Tempe, Arizona when Crescent Crown Distributing merchandiser Cody Huard and his colleague Hunter Olsen delivered products.

He allegedly threatened to “disappear” and “execute” Huard during a heated altercation that began when Trone became upset. There were merchandise stacked on the floor.

Huard called police because he “felt threatened by the incident,” but Trone left before police arrived, according to a police report, first reported by The spectator.

Trone is among the wealthiest members of Congress and has told colleagues he would be willing to do so Spending $50 million of his personal fortune to secure the Senate seat.

He is a major Democratic donor to other campaigns and has donated tens of millions to philanthropic efforts, including $15 million to the ACLU.

The liquor business mogul spent $16 million in a failed bid to win a House seat in the Washington DC suburbs in 2016, losing to Rep. Jamie Raskin.

He then spent another $17 million in 2018 to run for a seat in the neighboring House and won.