The event began with Trump expressing frustration over what he perceived as a “very rude introduction” and technical issues that delayed the start by over half an hour.As the discussion turned to his appeal to Black voters, Trump lashed out at the journalists, calling their questions “disgraceful” and criticizing the manner in which he was addressed.
“You don’t even say, ‘Hello. How are you?’ I think it’s disgraceful … I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country. I’ve done so much for the Black population of this country,” Trump said. He defended his record by highlighting what he described as career opportunities created during his administration.
Trump’s comparison of himself to Abraham Lincoln was met with skepticism and pushback from the audience. The former president also criticized Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, accusing her of exploiting her racial identity for political gain. Trump claimed, “She was Indian all the way and all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a Black woman,” a statement that drew disapproval and fact-checking from commentators who noted that Harris has always identified as both Black and Southeast Asian.
The event underscored the ongoing tension between Trump and the NABJ. The organization had previously condemned Trump’s treatment of Black women journalists, including NBC News’ Yamiche Alcindor and CNN’s Abby Phillip, during his presidency. Trump’s dismissive remarks at the convention only added to the strained relationship.
The backlash from Trump’s statements extended beyond the convention. Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, criticized Trump’s divisive language, emphasizing that there is no distinction between “Black jobs” and American jobs. Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the ubiquity of Black talent in various professions and rejecting the notion of a “Black job.”