Trump attends Black journalist conference, creating controversy

CHICAGO - Donald Trump made a stop Wednesday in Chicago during his campaign, causing a dramatic stir among members of the National Association Of Black Journalists, many of whom did not want the former president to appear at their convention. 

He was invited to participate in a Q&A session with a panel of political journalists at the Hilton Hotel.

Trump started an hour late and kicked off with criticism of ABC News senior congressional correspondent, Rachel Scott, one of the moderators. 

"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?" Scott asked.

"Well, first of all, I don't think I've ever been asked a question," Trump responded. "So in such a horrible manner, a first question. You don't even say hello. How are you? Are you with ABC? Because I think they're a fake news network. A terrible network, and I think it's disgraceful that I came here in good spirit."

Then, Trump launched into his version of what he has done for Black Americans.

"I love the Black population of this country," he said. "I've done so much for the Black population of this country, including, employment, including, opportunity zones with Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, which is one of the greatest programs ever for Black workers and Black entrepreneurs. I've done so much." 

But what created the most buzz was how Trump questioned the ethnic identity and race of his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, when he falsely said that Harris had not previously identified as Black – which she always has, and which the moderators reminded him of. 

 "She was always of Indian heritage," Trump said. "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when ‘she happened to turn Black.' And now she wants to be known as Black. So, I don't know, is she Indian, or is she Black?"  

Other topics ranged from why he picked JD Vance as his VP, whether he would take a cognitive test and the Capitol Riot on Jan. 6, 2021. 

Unlike many of his recent campaign stops, the president saw many friendly faces in the audience.

This convention is an annual event where Black journalists gather for networking, training and community.

When NABJ announced that Trump would be stopping by the conference, it caused a bit of a stir and even a backlash among many of the journalists in attendance.

NABJ leadership even took a hit after the session was announced.

Karen Attiah, a journalist from the Washington Post, shared via social media that NABJ’s invitation to the former president spurred her to step down from her role as co-chair of this year’s convention.

"I have decided to step down as co-chair from this year’s NABJ convention in Chicago," she wrote on X. "To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck."

During the conference, she wrote on X that the event was "horrible" and a "colossal mistake." 

Others agreed. 

"There was nothing gained by Donald Trump being there today. In fact, I think it was a mistake,"  University of San Francisco professor of politics James Taylor told KTVU after the event.  "I think it hurts him with people who are cynical about whether or not he has good intentions toward the African American population, because again, as he raised various issues and discussed them and when he was asked for solutions, he didn't really have ready and prepared answers."

But leaders of NABJ said journalists should not shy from interviewing major party candidates for the presidency. 

The association also invited Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, but NABJ President Ken Lemon, said she was not available.

At her own event in Houston, Harris addressed Trump's comments at a gathering for a Black sorority.

"It was the same old show," Harris said. "The divisiveness and the disrespect.  And let me just say, the American people deserve better."

Lemon faced harsh questions from reporters as thousands of Black journalists arrived in Chicago. 

"This a great opportunity for us to vet the candidate right here on our ground, and that’s what we do," he wrote on X.

Lemon also had his share of support for inviting Trump to the convention. 

Symone Sanders, the former Kamala Harris spokesperson turned MSNBC host, wrote on X that "some of the best journalists in the country are members of the NABJ" and wondered, "So why wouldn’t they interview Trump?"

Her point is that he is the Republican nominee for president and that journalists should do their jobs.

She wrote: "Whew yall. All I'm saying is Trump shouldn't be immune to being asked real?s. Yes, his political ideology is built on white grievance, racism and misogyny and HE COULD STILL BE ELECTED PRESIDENT. So he should be asked real/tough questions." 

KTVU staff contributed to this report.