Former President Donald Trump did not hold back during a fiery exchange with ABC News reporter Rachel Scott at a convention for Black journalists on Wednesday. The tense moment unfolded when Scott questioned Trump on why Black voters should trust him with another term in the White House, referencing his past comments and actions deemed controversial by the left.
Scott opened the Q&A session by citing Trump’s involvement in the “birther conspiracy” about former President Barack Obama, his remarks suggesting some Democratic lawmakers should “go back” to their countries of origin, and a meeting with an alleged “white supremacist” at Mar-a-Lago.
“Why should Black voters trust you?” Scott asked, according to The Hill. Trump’s response was immediate and scathing: “I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner. A first question. You don’t even say hello, how are you,” he retorted. “Are you with ABC, because I think they’re a fake news network, a terrible network? I think it’s disgraceful that 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.”
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The session, which started an hour late due to technical issues, saw Trump lamenting Vice President Kamala Harris’s absence from the National Association of Black Journalists convention. He noted that while he made the effort to attend, Harris was nowhere to be found. The organization stated that they were in discussions with Harris’s team to arrange a virtual or in-person interview in September, but nothing was scheduled for this week.
“I think it’s a very nasty question,” Trump reiterated. “For you to start off a question and answer period especially when you’re 35 minutes late… in such a hostile manner, I think it’s a disgrace.” Alongside Scott, Trump was interviewed by Semafor’s Kadia Goba and Fox News’s Harris Faulkner.
Trump’s presence at the event sparked controversy among some attendees, who questioned why he was invited given his perceived hostility towards Black journalists. Organizers defended their decision, emphasizing the importance of interviewing a leading presidential candidate.
Despite the contentious start, Trump maintained that his attendance was a gesture of goodwill, underscoring his commitment to addressing issues important to the Black community.
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