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

Maryland's Democrat Senate frontrunner Rep. David Trone uttered a racial slur during a House meeting, but claimed he was just trying to say 'bugaboo'. 

Trone, 68, was talking about Democrat tax policies with Shalanda Young, who is director of the Office of Budget and Management, when he used the offensive term.

The congressman said to Young, who is a black woman: 'So this Republican ji***** that it's the tax rate that’s stopping business investment, it’s just completely faulty by people who have never run a business.'

Trone didn't pause or seem to notice what he had said - but he was later forced to apologize, telling Fox News Digital it was a slip of the tongue. 

Pleading his innocence, he said: 'Today while attempting to use the word ‘bugaboo’ in a hearing, I used a phrase that is offensive.' 

Rep. David Trone was talking about Democrat tax policies when he used the offensive term. The congressman said to Young, who is a black woman: 'So this Republican ji***** that it's the tax rate that’s stopping business investment, it’s just completely faulty by people who have never run a business'

Trone, 68, was talking about Democrat tax policies with Shalanda Young (pictured) who is a 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 historic slur for black people. 

Trone was speaking with Young as she testified for the committee about tax policy. He did not immediately correct himself following the slur - but was berated online afterwards for his words. 

The Maryland politician is known for his strong stance on racial justice - and has frequently posted about the Black Lives Matter movement in the last four years. 

In his apology, he added: 'That word has a long dark terrible history. It should never be used any time, 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. 

'Regardless of what 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 needs to explain why TF he used the word j****** in a budget hearing today. 

'I watched his comments in context, and using that word was totally bizarre. 

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

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

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 frequently posted about the Black Lives Matter movement in the last four years

'No, it wasn't racial, but because that's not the kind of word that should even be in your head to slip out, I'm side eyeing him. 

'Since his ads paint him as a racial justice warrior, he *should* know better!' 

Another critic added: 'Words such as this only slip out if you've used them before. Perhaps even regularly.' 

And a third added: 'Sorry, nothing excuses it, it doesn't matter what he meant. He said it. He's racist and evil forever more. Them's the rules.' 

It's not the first time Trone has sparked controversy with his comments. 

Last year, he allegedly threatened to 'end' a delivery man in a bout of anger at his wine and spirits store, according to a police report. 

Trone is among the wealthiest members of Congress and has told associates he'd be willing to spend $50 million of his personal fortune to secure the Senate seat

He said: 'So this Republican j****boo that it's the tax rate that’s stopping business investment, it’s just completely faulty by people who have never run a business'

Trone, D-Md., who has made his fortune as the co-founder and co-owner of the nation's private wine and spirits retailer Total Wine and More, was at one of his store's location in Tempe, Arizona in December 2021 when Crescent Crown Distributing merchandiser Cody Huard and his colleague Hunter Olsen were delivering product. 

He allegedly threatened to 'f***ing end' and 'execute' Huard during a heated altercation that began with Trone getting upset merchandise was stacked on the floor. 

Huard called the police because he 'felt threatened by the incident,' but Trone left prior to police arrival, according to a police report, first reported by The Spectator. 

Trone is among the wealthiest members of Congress and has told associates he'd be willing to spend $50 million of his personal fortune to secure the Senate seat. 

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

The booze business magnate spent $16 million in an unsuccessful attempt to win a House seat in the Washington, D.C. suburbs in 2016, losing to Rep. Jamie Raskin. 

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