Former President Donald Trump’s appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) annual convention in Chicago began with controversy as he made false claims about Vice President Kamala Harris’ race. Trump questioned Harris’ race and mocked her during the interview. ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott, Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner, and Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba conducted the interview on stage.
During the interview, Trump was asked about his past inflammatory rhetoric toward women of color. Scott pointed out instances where Trump made derogatory comments about women of color and questioned why Black voters should trust him. Trump responded by attacking Scott and claiming to be the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln.
Trump also questioned Harris’ race, saying he didn’t know she was Black until a few years ago and suggesting she had changed her identity. Harris’ campaign responded by criticizing Trump’s hostility and division.
The interview was contentious from the start, with Trump going after Scott and exhibiting disrespect towards Black journalists. ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington, who attended the event, criticized NABJ for inviting Trump and highlighted his lack of respect for Black journalists.
The NABJ worked with Politifact to fact-check Trump’s comments during the interview. While there was some criticism of Trump’s presence at the convention, some attendees defended the decision, stating that they wanted to hear something different and appreciated his support in the community.
Throughout the interview, Trump made various remarks on different topics. He claimed that migrants were taking “Black jobs” and failed to provide a clear definition when asked. Trump also defended his vice presidential pick, JD Vance, who had made controversial comments about “childless cat ladies.” When asked about police immunity and the shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman, Trump expressed vague support for indemnifying police officers but couldn’t offer specific solutions.
As the oldest candidate in the race, Trump faced questions about his age and cognitive abilities. He stated that he would step down if his health declined and suggested that all presidential candidates should take a cognitive test. Trump also floated false claims about Harris’ bar exam results.
In response to a question about pardoning the January 6 rioters, Trump initially dodged the question but later stated that he would pardon them if they were innocent. ABC’s Scott pushed back, highlighting that many of the rioters had been convicted.
Overall, Trump’s interview at the NABJ convention was marked by controversy and contentious exchanges. His false claims about Harris’ race and inflammatory rhetoric towards women of color were met with criticism. The interview shed light on the divisive nature of his presidency and the challenges he faces in appealing to Black voters.
 convention in Chicago sparked controversy as he made false claims about Vice President Kamala Harris' race and mocked her. The interview, conducted by prominent journalists, delved into Trump's past inflammatory rhetoric towards women of color and questioned why Black voters should trust him. Trump's disrespectful behavior towards Black journalists and his lack of respect were criticized by attendees. While some defended the decision to invite him, Trump's remarks on various topics, including migrants, police immunity, and pardoning the January 6 rioters, were met with scrutiny. The interview highlighted the divisive nature of his presidency and the challenges he faces in appealing to Black voters.){kind=link}