Former President Donald Trump’s invitation to speak at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago has ignited a storm of controversy. Many Black journalists and organizations have expressed their deep disapproval, citing Trump’s controversial history with the media and Black communities.
Karen Attiah, Washington Post columnist and NABJ co-chair, announced her resignation in response to Trump’s invitation. “I was not consulted in any way with the decision to platform Trump,” Attiah shared on X. She added, “My decision was influenced by a variety of factors.” Her resignation reflects the broader discontent within the journalism community.
The NABJ’s decision has also drawn criticism from notable journalists. Carron Phillips, a two-time NABJ award-winning journalist, voiced his frustration, stating, “Y’all just made the only safe haven that Black journalists have potentially unsafe.” Jim Trotter, the 2023 NABJ Journalist of the Year, echoed this sentiment, calling the decision “difficult to put into words.”
Defending the Decision to Invite Trump
Despite the backlash, some NABJ leaders defended the invitation. Tia Mitchell, co-chair of the convention, explained, “It’s in line with invitations NABJ has sent to every presidential candidate for decades.” NABJ President Ken Lemon emphasized that the organization routinely invites presidential nominees from both major parties.
The decision to include Trump, however, was not without internal opposition. April Ryan, White House correspondent for The Grio, and 2017 NABJ Journalist of the Year, condemned the invitation. “To have a presumed orchestrated session with the former president is an affront to what this organization stands for,” Ryan wrote on X. She added, “It’s a slap in the face to the Black women journalists who had to protect themselves from the wrath of this Republican presidential nominee.”
Critics argue that Trump’s history of racist comments and attacks on Black journalists make his invitation inappropriate. The Black Voters Matter Fund labeled the decision “unacceptable,” stating, “It’s a slap in the face to every Black journalist and the communities we serve.”
In contrast, some defend the decision, citing NABJ’s tradition of inviting presidential candidates. Mitchell, who helped organize the Q&A session, insisted, “I’ll continue to work to create opportunities for journalists to interview the potential next President.”
Amid the controversy, the NABJ’s invitation to Vice President Kamala Harris was declined due to scheduling conflicts. NABJ’s refusal to accommodate a virtual session with Harris added to the criticism.