Trump invitation to speak at Black journalists' annual convention in Chicago sparks fierce debate
CHICAGO (CBS) — Current Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is set to be in Chicago on Wednesday, and says he will attend the National Association of Black Journalists Annual Convention & Career Fair.
The decision to host Trump has not gone over well with some NABJ members. The decision even led the co-chair for the convention, Karen Attiah, to step down.
"To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck," Attiah wrote. "For everyone else, I'm looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with all of you in the Windy City."
On Tuesday night — a night after the announcement that Trump would be appearing — NABJ President Ken Lemon reiterated that the invitation to Trump was not an endorsement, and was something extended to both Trump and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris has offered to address NABJ members virtually after the convention. Event organizers say they are still working to reach an agreement.
"I consulted with a group of our Founders and past NABJ Presidents Tuesday on-site in Chicago, and as a group, we affirmed that the invitation to former President Trump was in line with NABJ's usual practices since 1976. It has always been our policy to ensure that candidates know that an invitation is not an endorsement," Lemon said. "We also agreed that while this race is much different — and contentious — so are the consequences."
Still, despite the invitation of presidential candidates to the convention being a tradition that goes back decades, it has divided many within the organization with Trump involved. A fiery debate ensued online between members of the organization when the Trump campaign announced plans to attend the convention.
Some journalists welcomed the idea of grilling the former president.
"As journalists, we can never be afraid to tackle someone like Trump. The reality is that he is running for president and needs to be treated as such. Being questioned by journalists is part of the job, and especially important in the company of Black journalists," Jemele Hill, a contributing writer for The Atlantic, wrote on X. "Mainstream media keeps trying to convince us that he actually is gaining support among Black people. Let's see if it's true."
Others pushed back, flooding social media with frustration about the decision.
"This is platforming a tyrant. Nothing more, nothing less," wrote communications strategist Queen Muse.
Journalist and NABJ member April Ryan, White House correspondent for The Grio, called the Trump invitation "a slap in the face to Black women journalists." On X, she shared a highlight reel of her contentious run-ins with Trump over the years.
"I can understand how she feels disrespected," added Ava Thompson Greenwell, a journalism professor at Northwestern University who is also a member of NABJ. "But I think in the end, it's really important for us as journalists not to be partisan."
Greenwell also sees the controversial panel conversation with Trump as an opportunity.
"We need to the journalists to hold his feet to the fire, and to ask those difficult questions," she said. "so that's what I'm going to be looking for tomorrow."
The sentiment was shared by Lemon, who said panelists will be fact-checking as the former president speaks.
"We have people whose lives are depending on what happens in November," Lemon said. "For us as journalists — people who go into and have very uncomfortable conversations for the sake of our members — this is an important time."
Meanwhile, with Trump scheduled to take the stage at noon Wednesday at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, at least three activist groups are planning protests outside, hoping to send a message that he is not welcome in Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said he will make sure the former president gets the security he needs.