President Barack Obama deflected criticism that he hadn't done enough to support Black businesses in an interview published Tuesday. "My general view has been consistent throughout, which is that I want all businesses to succeed," Obama told Black Enterprise. "I want all Americans to have opportunity. I'm not the president of Black America. I'm the president of the United States of America, but the programs that we have put in place have been directed at those who are least able to get financing through conventional means, who have been in the past locked out of opportunities that were available to everybody."

The president argued that his policies and programs ultimately improved the economy — including minority-owned businesses. "I'll put my track record up against anybody in terms of us putting in place broad-based programs that ultimately had a huge benefit for African American businesses," Obama said.