The National Association of Black Journalists is facing outrage after inviting Donald Trump to its Chicago convention.
The announcement that Trump would join a Q&A panel arrived late Monday evening. Rachel Scott from ABC News, Harris Faulkner with The Faulkner Focus and Fox News, and Kadia Goba of Semafor will lead the conversation on Wednesday, July 31st. Many believe that the timing of his appearance is suspicious, especially considering that Trump declined invitations by the NABJ in 2016 and 2020. Roland Martin was just one of thousands who slammed the NABJ for their decision. He revealed on Twitter that the organization had not invited him or any other Black male journalists to participate in the event.
Nope. @NABJ didn’t ask me or
Any other Black male journalist https://t.co/1i5NpPlCUG— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 30, 2024
Others believe that with Faulkner on the panel, Trump and his many harmful views will not be properly addressed, as she works for Fox News. Writer and pop culture expert Touré took this position, and his peers agreed, with Jemele Hill even calling for Trump to be disinvited.
I respect Symone's position, journalists should ask q's, but we'll see if Trump is challenged. when NABJ puts Harris Faulkner on the panel that signals that Trump won't be properly challenged. But we should not normalize him. NABJ is wrong for giving him this. https://t.co/IoEzx2hReM
— Touré (@Toure) July 30, 2024
I disagree. Uninvite him. Who cares about what his supporters think? NABJ’s only concern should be about their own membership. https://t.co/ofEuSjXLZI
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) July 30, 2024
NABJ president Ken Lawson responded to the wave of outrage online, promising that the conversation would focus on getting answers for minorities this election season.
“While NABJ does not endorse political candidates as a journalism organization, we understand the serious work of our members and welcome the opportunity for them to ask the tough questions that will provide the truthful answers Black Americans want and need to know,” he wrote in a statement on his Twitter.
While NABJ does not endorse political candidates as a journalism organization, we understand the serious work of our members, and welcome the opportunity for them to ask the tough questions that will provide the truthful answers Black Americans want and need to know. #NABJ24 https://t.co/2us0OR54JY pic.twitter.com/wgJQkvpMqk
— Ken Lemon (@kenlemonnabj) July 30, 2024
Still, this did nothing to calm the anger felt among members and others in the media.
Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah announced she was stepping down as co-chair from this year’s NABJ convention, with others even refusing to attend altogether.
I have decided to step down as co- chair from this year’s #NABJ24 convention in Chicago.
To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck.
For everyone else, I’m looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with all of you in the Windy City. #nabj
— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) July 30, 2024
As NABJ gives a platform to Trump, I would hope they ask him about the many times he attacked Black journalists like Yamiche Alcindor, April Ryan, and Don Lemon. But Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner is on the panel, and she has shown herself to be in the tank for Trump. pic.twitter.com/J5D7meLfWU
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) July 30, 2024
People who are making the NABJ about pure journalism are forgetting why there is a B in NABJ—and why NABJ became necessary in the first place.
The mythical balance in the media has never been there, sweet hearts.
— Booker G. Washington (@BookerGWash) July 30, 2024
Yall would interview slave owners if we were allowed to go to college in the 1800s https://t.co/s7WrXQXWsF
— GET UP 😩 (@wyetthasspoken) July 30, 2024
The fact that Trump paid NABJ dust TWICE, but all of a sudden accepts the invitation THIS YEAR, didn't set of any "we're being played" alarms? Everybody planning to attend and everyone defending the decision looks goofy as hell. They weird and yall goofy. God bless.
— Simply TC 💚💛🖤💙 (@BienSur_JeTaime) July 30, 2024
Donald Trump speaking at an NABJ Convention is some naaaaasty work. Even if you’re trying to “dunk” on him, Donald Trump should not be platformed at all. Idc how brilliant your clapbacks are, he should not be allowed to speak publicly. He is a danger to our nation.
— Melech. (@MelechThomas) July 30, 2024
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