Trump Speaks At Black Journalists Conference In Chicago; Harris Skips Event

Former President Donald Trump flew into Chicago on Wednesday to speak at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Conference, while Vice President Kamala Harris declined an invitation reportedly due to scheduling conflicts.

After a delay due to apparent audio equipment issues, Trump finally took the stage around 1:15 p.m. CT for a discussion led by ABC News reporter Rachel Scott, Semafor reporter Kadia Goba, and Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner. Scott started the interview by asking Trump to address the controversy around his invite to the NABJ conference and his negative comments directed at black Democrats over the years.

“First of all, I don’t think I’ve been asked a question in such a horrible manner, first question. You don’t even say ‘Hello, how are you,” Trump replied. “Are you with ABC? Because I think they are a fake news network, a terrible network.”

“I love the black population of this country,” he added. “I’ve done so much for the black population of this country. … I have been the best president for the black population since Abraham Lincoln,” Trump said.

OFF THE RAILS!

TRUMP: “I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, first question. You don’t even say ‘Hello, how are you.’ Are you with ABC? Because I think they are a fake news network, a terrible network.” pic.twitter.com/9Prmozw2fE

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 31, 2024

The former president focused on addressing illegal immigration, the economy, and inflation and how those issues are affecting black Americans under the Biden administration.

“The inflation is absolutely destroying our middle class, our working class, virtually every class. Inflation is a disaster in our country,” he said, adding, “People can’t buy houses. They no longer have the American Dream. Young people, young black people, they don’t have the American Dream anymore.”

To address high inflation, Trump said, “We have to bring down the cost of energy. … This was all started by a bad energy policy by Joe Biden.”

Vice President Harris asked the conference organizers if she could appear for the fireside chat over Zoom, but she was denied that request. Shortly before Trump took the stage at the conference, he posted on Truth Social that he was being told that Harris would be appearing at the event via Zoom.

“They told me and Crazy Kamala Harris that you could not do this Event with ZOOM — It is not allowed or acceptable! She declined, and I am getting ready to land in Chicago in order to be there. Now I am told that she is doing the Event on ZOOM. WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?” Trump asked.

NABJ President Ken Lemon released a statement, saying his team was “in conversation with the Harris for President campaign team to schedule a Q&A session between Vice President Harris and NABJ, either in person or virtually, at some point in September.”

Lemon’s statement suggests that Harris appearing virtually at Wednesday’s conference was a possibility, but the event organizers were informed earlier this week “that Harris would not be available in person or virtually during our Convention.” The statement also addresses apparent blowback from some NABJ members about the conference inviting Trump to speak.

“While we acknowledge the concerns expressed by our members, we believe it is important for us to provide our members with the opportunity to hear directly from candidates and hold them accountable,” the statement added. “We also want to provide our members with the facts.”

Trump blasted Harris in an earlier post for skipping the conference, writing, “Crazy Kamala disrespectfully refused to attend the National Association of Black Journalists Conference, but I am on my way to meet with them now in Chicago. Because of which, she’ll probably end up doing, she has no choice, but remember—it is only for that reason!” As the former president’s Trump Force One was preparing to land in Chicago, he added, “Getting ready to land in Chicago — unlike Crazy Kamala!”