On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Donald Trump attended the NABJ annual convention and faced three Black women (Rachel Scott of ABC News, Kadia Goba of Semafor, and Harris Faulkner from Fox News) for an interview. It did not go well – for him!
Predictably, Trump was unfocused, racist and insulting. The comment that has generated the most buzz was his comment regarding Kamala Harris’ race: “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago,” he blathered, “when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” [https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/nabj-black-journalists-trump-harris/]
Rachel Scott attempted to fact-check Trump by stating the VP has always identified as a Black woman; she attended a Historically Black College, was a member of a Black sorority, etc. It didn’t have any effect on Trump. In fact, he has doubled-down on the claim since then.
At one point during the interview, Trump claimed Harris and the democrats support abortions of fully alive, already born babies! What in the h*ll is he talking about?!?
The interview was about an hour late. To hear Trump, the delay was due to faulty equipment at the convention. The truth, however, is Trump was back stage throwing a hissy fit because he was told he would be fact-checked live during the interview. Naturally, that is not something Trump likes – he loves to lie, lie, lie and he doesn’t want anyone fact checking him at all much less live!
I’m not sure who in Trump’s campaign thought this was a good idea and encouraged him to do the interview, but whoever it was should be fired! On the other hand, I think the interview was important for a variety of reasons.
This interview revealed Trump’s racist and misogynistic tendencies in real time. His supporters got a live look at how Trump handles hard questions by reporters who hold him to account and don’t let him dodge a question.
The interview reinforced to Black voters the true essence of the man – in case they forgot. He did not do the most to promote Black people – more than any other president including Abe Lincoln!! It very well may have reminded voters why they did not vote for him in 2020 and may very well have turned many voters against him in 2024! One can hope!
The interview may have made an impact on the “middle of the roaders” – those who have not committed to a candidate or those who may have planned to sit out this election. They saw a man flustered, out of control, and frustrated – something they may not have seen in the past. And they didn’t have to read about it from any media – they could watch it in real time!
I commend Rachel Scott and the other two women who asked pertinent, relevant questions and waited/insisted Trump answer them. This was how interviews should be conducted. There should be no free passes. Trump and Harris are vying for the highest office in the land – Leader of the Free World. There should be no softball questions, no letting off the hook, and no preplanned questions. Ask the tough questions, the policy questions and make them answer. Fact check them when necessary. Only then will the “real leader” emerge and the choice will be made clear!
The interview was scheduled to last an hour. However, after about 35 minutes of Trump missteps, his campaign called a halt and Trump walked out.
In My Humble Opinion 