At the Chicago convention, Trump again made disparaging remarks about Kamala Harris’ race, claiming that she had chosen to “turn Black” in order to pursue a presidential campaign.
On Wednesday, July 31, during the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago, former president Donald Trump was interviewed. His press conference wasn’t without controversy, as he took aim at reporters for giving a “very rude introduction” and starting the event more than 30 minutes later than planned because of technological difficulties.
Prior to shifting its focus to why Black Americans should support the Republican presidential nominee, the event focused on how the candidate was “attacking” Black politicians and media. Taking offense at this “disgraceful” incident, Trump declared he had never “been asked a question in such a horrible manner.”
You never even greet someone. How are you doing? It seems shameful to me. I arrived with a positive attitude. I adore our nation’s Black populace. I’ve accomplished a great deal for the Black people in this nation,” he declared.
Asking those in attendance to respond, he said that based on earlier statements he had received, Kamala Harris, the presumed Democratic presidential contender for the next elections, was supposed to be at the function but was not. According to reports, the NABJ made every effort to secure VP Harris’s in-person attendance at the conference. However, when she offered to do it virtually, they declined her offer.
Trump's interview with the National Association of Black Journalists immediately got off to a contentious start. pic.twitter.com/VszDHIuV5G
— The Recount (@therecount) July 31, 2024
Donald Trump makes a bold declaration and launches a scathing racial attack on Kamala Harris at the National Association of Black Journalists convention
As additional details about his contentious background emerged, Trump insisted that despite being under fire, his purportedly perfect record had strengthened the Black community by expanding employment prospects. In his enraged outburst, he also likened himself to one of the most well-known US presidents.
Trump declared emphatically, “I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln,” as he was challenged once more on the subject of Black votes.
In a disastrous live interview just now Trump says that Kamala Harris "all of a sudden made a turn" and became a "Black person."
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) July 31, 2024
pic.twitter.com/qClgNtzeVE
Additionally, Trump unleashed verbal abuse on Kamala Harris, his presumed opponent in the race for president, alleging that she was using the Black card for her own gain. “She was Indian all along, but then she took a sudden turn and became a Black woman.” Commentators and guests were clearly offended by his remarks, and the former clarified that Harris had always identified as Black and Southeast Asian.
Trump’s racially-charged abrasive comments from the past
The NABJ and Trump have a tense past as well; in 2018, the organization denounced the former president for his treatment of Black female journalists, such as Yamiche Alcindor of NBC News, Abby Phillip of CNN, and April Ryan of The Grio. He has reportedly called them “nasty,” “loser,” and “stupid” in the past, according to PBS News.
“The most powerful man in the free world is verbally abusing journalists,” said Sarah Glover, the president of NABJ at the time.
Furthermore, Trump said to Alcindor, “Don’t be threatening,” during a 2020 news conference. At the time, Dorothy Tucker, the president of NABJ, condemned his comments as “not only unnecessary but demeaning and inappropriate.”
Trump also came under fire for remarks he made while promoting his 2020 presidential candidacy during a virtual NABJ panel. At the time, he declared, “The Latino community is an incredibly diverse community, unlike the African American community, with notable exceptions.”
The former president’s remark on “Black jobs” during the presidential debate even went viral in June. On Wednesday, the identical problem was brought up once more during the Chicago conference.
Donald Trump to the National Association of Black Journalists: “A lot of the journalists in this room are black. I will tell you that coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking black jobs.
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) July 31, 2024
Q. “What’s exactly is a black job, sir?"
Trump:… pic.twitter.com/cEnaXrNpE9
Trump stated, “The fact is that his big kill on the Black people is the millions of people that he’s allowed to come in through the border,” in a jab at Biden for the debate around illegal immigration. Now, they are hiring Black people.
Both Black and Hispanic employment are being taken by them. And even though you haven’t seen it yet, you’re about to witness the worst event in our nation’s history.
The term “Black jobs,” which seemed to reinforce the perception that particular jobs were exclusively connected with Black Americans, was met with widespread dissatisfaction from Democrats and Black leaders.
Trump, the contentious nature of this remark is hardly shocking.
“I’m still wondering, what is a ‘Black job,'” joked Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison later.
The term “Black job” is nonexistent. That inaccurate portrayal ignores the prevalence of Black brilliance. We work as physicians, attorneys, educators, police officers, and firemen. The NAACP’s president and CEO, Derrick Johnson, stated, “The list is endless.” “An American job is a ‘Black job,'” The idea that a presidential contender would try to draw a divide that doesn’t exist is alarming. However, given Donald Trump, the contentious nature of this remark is hardly shocking.