The decision by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) to invite Donald Trump to address the organization has stirred controversy and debate within the group and on social media platforms. Typically, journalism organizations for people of color extend invitations to presidential candidates during election years for their summer gatherings. Nevertheless, Trump’s acceptance of NABJ’s invitation has caused at least one prominent member to resign as a convention co-chair, with concerns raised that the event may provide a platform for Trump to spread misinformation or give the impression of winning NABJ’s endorsement.
Scheduled to be interviewed at 12 p.m. CDT in Chicago by Kadia Goba of Semafor, Rachel Scott of ABC News, and Harris Faulkner of Fox News, Trump’s participation has generated mixed reactions. Notably, Vice President Kamala Harris, the probable Democratic nominee and the first Black woman in her position, is not currently slated to speak at the convention. A source familiar with Harris’s schedule mentioned that the campaign was unable to find a suitable time for her to attend the NABJ event in person and asserted that an offer for a virtual appearance was turned down by the organization.
This debated invitation reflects the ongoing struggle among journalists in dealing with Trump almost a decade after his initial presidential bid. Some NABJ members argue that allowing newsmakers to be heard is essential, while others highlight Trump’s disparagement of prominent Black journalists and his frequent attacks on the press, including labeling journalists as “the enemy of the people.”
Ken Lemon, the president of NABJ, clarified that inviting Trump was in no way an endorsement. Lemon emphasized that both Trump and Harris were invited, and while Trump confirmed his attendance, Harris’s participation was still pending. Lemon underlined the importance of the event as an opportunity to scrutinize the candidate on their own terms.
Despite the controversy, some industry leaders defended the decision to interview Trump, arguing that any chance to hold powerful figures accountable should not be missed. They believe that NABJ, as a platform, is particularly well-suited for this purpose.
In response to the announcement of Trump’s appearance, Karen Attiah, a global opinions columnist for The Washington Post and co-chair of the 2024 convention, resigned from her position. Attiah expressed her lack of involvement in the decision to feature Trump and wished the journalists interviewing him well.
Overall, the NABJ’s invitation to Trump has sparked a robust debate within the organization about the role of journalists and the responsibility of providing a platform for prominent figures, even when their actions are contentious or divisive.