CHICAGO (Reuters) – Donald Trump speaks at the country’s largest annual gathering of Black journalists on Wednesday, an effort to bolster the Republican presidential candidate’s standing that has divided the group’s members. #TrumpBlackJournalists
Trump’s first-ever appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists’ convention in Chicago stirred controversy. This visit followed President Joe Biden’s surprising decision to drop out of the 2024 election.
The group, founded in 1975, regularly invites presidential candidates to its annual gathering. Trump accepted the invitation, becoming the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004.
Trump will face an interview on Wednesday afternoon by three Black women journalists. The interviewers are Fox News’ Harris Faulkner, ABC News’ Rachel Scott, and Semafor’s Kadia Goba.
Some members argue that the group should not offer a platform to Trump, who has criticized Black journalists personally. Additionally, Trump has used racist and dehumanizing language on the campaign trail.
Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah stepped down as a co-chair from the convention. On social media, she said she wasn’t involved in or consulted about the decision to platform Trump.
In Chicago, protesters were expected outside the venue where Trump was scheduled to speak. Trump frequently criticizes the city’s Democratic leadership for street violence. #TrumpBlackJournalists
Leroy Chapman Jr., editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said, “We need to ‘normalize’ candidates standing before journalists and answering questions.”
