ABC’s Rachel Scott ambushed former President Donald Trump at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference on Wednesday.
The event started late because Scott’s camera crew couldn’t get their equipment to work.
Scott, a senior congressional correspondent for ABC News, opened her questions by accusing Trump of being rude to Black journalists and politicians.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner,” Trump said, as the audience laughed. “You don’t even say ‘hello,’ ‘how are you?’”
Trump then asked Scott, “Are you with ABC? Because I think they’re a fake news network.”
Scott asked Trump about referencing Vice President Kamala Harris as a “DEI hire.”
“I’ve known her a long time, indirectly, not directly, very much, and always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage,” Trump said. “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black Indian. Or is she Black?”
White House correspondent for The Grio, April Ryan expressed her indignation at the NABJ for inviting Trump to speak.
In a video released on X, Ken Lemon, NABJ President, addressed the criticism: “It’s absolutely not an endorsement. The first thing you read when we put out that release says it’s not an endorsement. Every year, every presidential election cycle, we invite the presidential candidates to come. We extend that to anyone who is a nominee.”
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, at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, responds to critics of Kamala Harris who have called her a “DEI hire”:
“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years… pic.twitter.com/lW0KSBTrhW
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 31, 2024