Former President Donald Trump is set to appear at the National Association of Black Journalists’ annual conference in Chicago on Wednesday (July 31). The announcement was made Monday night. Trump will appear on a panel moderated by three Black women: ABC’s Rachel Scott, Fox News’ Harris Faulkner and Semaphore reporter Kadia Goba.
Can Donald Trump run for president from prison?
Could Donald Trump run for president from prison?
Following the news, Black Twitter erupted with anger, frustration and confusion.
Many feel that Trump, who has a disturbing history of racism that includes discriminating against black residents, calling for the execution of the Central Park Five, describing white supremacists as “fine people” and quoting Hitler, should not be speaking at an event aimed at black journalists.
Prominent White House correspondent April Ryan spoke out, expressing her disgust at the shocking announcement.
“This apparent orchestrated meeting with a former president is an affront to the ideals of this organization and an affront to a Black woman journalist — NABJ’s Journalist of the Year — who has had to defend herself from the wrath of a Republican presidential candidate who promotes an authoritarian agenda that seeks to destroy our country and our democracy,” she wrote.
Morgan Elise Johnson wrote explicitly: “I don’t welcome @NABJ stunning Chicago with news about Trump, a man who has threatened Chicago with state violence in campaign speeches and rallied white supremacist supporters in black affinity spaces.
Another user, @MelechThomas, said it was terrible that the NABJ convention chose to host Trump: “Donald Trump should not be at the podium, even if you’re trying to ‘dunk’ him. I don’t care how great your rebuttal is, he should not be allowed to speak in public. He is a danger to our country.”
Some supported the NABJ’s decision to put Trump on the platform, including Tia Mitchell, a reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who suggested journalists should want to question future presidential candidates.
Sports journalist Jemele Hill attempted to argue both sides of the situation, saying journalists “shouldn’t be afraid to attack someone like Trump” and that Trump “is running for president and needs to be treated as such,” but @ocbuckner quickly fired back, citing Hill’s past tweets.
In a screenshot, Hill previously said, “It is irresponsible as a journalist to give a platform to people who are known liars. Our profession cannot continue to die on the ridiculous assertion that there are two sides to the conflict.”
David Dennis Jr. said:[Trump]”I don’t even think the National Association of Black Journalists should exist. What the hell are we doing now?”