Tensions Flare as Trump Faces Black Media at NABJ Convention in Chicago

 By Kelvin Sims

CHICAGO — Former President Donald Trump’s history of testy relationships with members of the Black media was on full display during a combative question and answer session at the National Association of Black Journalist’s annual convention held July 31-Aug.4 in Chicago.

The session drew protests from several members of the nation’s largest minority journalism group, including the resignation of one of the co-chairs of the event. 

The organization has often invited presidential candidates to speak during its annual conferences — former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are among those who spoken as candidates at previous conferences  — but Trump made his first appearance after declining invitations in his previous presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020.

It was that previous history plus clashes with African American reporters such as April Ryan of CNN Radio that didn’t sit well with some members of the organization.

The session immediately became combative when Trump described the first question from the panel as “rude.” 

He further ignited reactions when questioned whether or not Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, had just recently identified herself as black.

Trump’s statement about Harris and his combative nature during the session didn’t sit well with Jocelyn McCray, a NABJ member and communications specialist from Oklahoma City who attended the session.

“I’m surprised Trump actually agreed to come and then showed up,” she said. “I definitely think he had a right to come and answer questions like any candidate. But you knew he was gonna be Trump. I didn’t like what he said about the vice president. He made a fool of himself, but black people got a chance to see who he really is.”

Trump also touched upon other controversial points that have hung over his 2024 campaign and go back to his term in office beginning in 2017. 

For instance, he claimed, among other things, that black unemployment had reached the lowest level ever under his term and that January 6th defendants were being treated unfairly by the courts.

His answers elicited groans and pushback from some members of the audience, including NABJ member Mark Stanback, a TV producer from Raleigh, N.C.

“All these lies,” he said. “All he does is lie. Why was he invited when he’s telling the same ole lies, he tells all the time?”

Trump was scheduled to take questions for an hour but left after about 34 minutes. NABJ officials said that the session ended early “at the request of the Trump team.

NABJ officials said they asked Vice President Harris to speak to the members as well, but she declined due to prior commitments. The Vice President offered to attend virtually, but already was scheduled to speak at U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s funeral in Houston on Aug. 1. 

NABJ officials later released a statement that they were in negotiations with the Harris campaign to do an in-person or virtual Q&A, likely in September.

A record 4,181 people registered for the conference for the organization that was founded founded in 1975.