In a controversial move by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), former President Donald J. Trump was invited to sit for a panel of three journalists — ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott, Semafor Reporter Kadia Goba and FOX Co-Host and Anchor, Harris Faulkner — to continue “a decades-long tradition during election years of inviting journalists to discuss the policies and their impact with the candidates who are running for president — and the impact of those policies especially in Black communities.” The point was made by Scott, who opened the session, that Presidents George W. Bush, Barak Obama and Bill Clinton had all attended the NABJ — either as presidents or as presidential candidates.
However, you got the feeling that the downhill spiral had already started when the opening address began by asking for professionalism. Of course, the fact that the livestream started more than an hour late also did not bode well for the session. According to multiple reports, the delay was in part due to the former president pushing back on the NABJ’s plan to partner with PolitiFact to fact-check in real-time, an announcement that drew probably the most applause of anything during the session.
After the panelists and Trump were seated on the stage, Rachel Scott began, “We so appreciate you giving us an hour of your time.” That’s where the rubber hit the road.
In her first question, Scott asked, “I want to start by addressing the elephant in the room, sir. A lot of people did not think it was appropriate for you to be here today. You have pushed false claims about some of your rivals — from Nikki Haley to former President Barak Obama — saying they were not born in the United States, which is not true. You have told four Congresswomen of color, who were American citizens, to go back to where they came from. You have used words like ‘animal’ and ‘rabbit’ to describe Black district attorneys. You’ve attacked Black journalists, calling them a loser, saying the questions they asked are ‘stupid’ and ‘racist.’ You’ve had dinner with a white supremacist at your Mara Lago resort. So, my question, sir, now that you are asking Black supporters to vote for you, why should Black voters trust you after you have used language like that?”
Possibly abrupt and hard-hitting to start, but what was Trump expecting? A love-fest? He must have known he was not going into a warm, welcoming audience.
His answer, “Well, first of all, I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner as a first question. You don’t even say ‘Hello. How are you?’ Are you with ABC because I think they are a fake news network — a terrible network. And I think it’s disgraceful that I came here in good spirit….” He went on to say how much he loves the Black population and how much he’s done for the Black population of this country.
PolitiFact had their job cut out for them after this because their fact-checking had to address:
All the greatest hits from his rallies.
However, probably the most ludicrous part of the session was Trump telling three Black female journalists that Vice President Kamala Harris “turned Black.” According to Trump, Harris, who has long identified as Black and attended Howard University, a HBCU, was an “Indian… and, all of a sudden, she made a turn, and she became a Black person.”
Regardless of what side of the argument you take — upholding tradition or not giving a candidate known for outlandish lies and racist comments a soapbox — the NABJ did not do itself any favors with Wednesday's crazy session. Posts on X played that out:
@JawnMurray
Donald Trump in typical form on this circus of a #NABJ panel is being aggressive & rude to @RachelVScott – a Black woman. Very reminiscent of his past treatment of @AprilDRyan @Yamiche & @jemelehill. A journalist advocacy group has platformed this 34-time felon for this abuse.
@AprilDRyanTrump came into our home, a Black Press advocacy convention, and insulted us in our face. What is worse he was invited to do this by NABJ leadership. Shame!
@JamesRWithers
Astonishing. Trump has attended the National Association of Black Journalists convention & accused Kamala Harris of ‘turning black.’ He has a lengthy track record of lies & racism, but this may be his worst interview yet. #NABJ
According to Donald Trump on Truth Social, “The questions were rude and nasty, often in the form of a statement, but we CRUSHED IT!”
Going back to my headline, this was seriously a no-win situation for everyone involved. The NABJ caused a large rift in their membership — with some members calling for a new association — and did nothing to help its female members feel safe and supported. Former president Trump may think he “crushed it,” but I doubt highly that he gained any followers today — and probably gave the Harris campaign some great clips for future ads.
According to Scott in the beginning of the panel, “NABJ is currently in discussion with Vice President Kamala Harris’ team to schedule a Q&A either in-person or virtually in September.” In my opinion, it will take more than a great Q&A with Harris to save the NABJ from this misstep.
Robin Blinder is E&P's editor-in-chief. She has been with E&P for five years. She can be reached at robin@EditorandPublisher.com
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