Jacob Ogles
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds said Donald Trump faced a hostile environment at a National Association of Black Journalists conference.
The speech gained instant attention when the Republican presidential nominee questioned the racial identity of likely Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
But Donalds, a Black Republican recently considered for Trump’s running mate, said Trump also communicated a record that benefited all Americans.
“Today, President Trump entered a hostile environment, highlighted his historic accomplishments, and spoke directly to the issues that matter: Securing the border; Reducing (Joe) Biden-Harris inflation; Restoring energy independence,” Donalds posted on X.
“Fostering tough conversations and debate is how we Make America Great Again for all Americans. Unlike Kamala Harris, President Trump is not afraid of going into any venue, any time, anywhere, and today was no exception.”
Trump sat down at the event for an on-stage interview with ABC News’ Rachel Scott, opening by discussing the former President’s record attacking former President Barack Obama’s birthplace and then asking, “Why should Black voters trust you?”
Later in the interview, Trump was asked whether he agrees with Republican surrogates who have criticized Harris as being a “DEI” candidate. Trump responded by confusingly saying Harris only recently identified as Black.
“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. So, I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” Trump said.
Harris has an Indian mother and Black father and attended Howard University, an historically Black university.
Republican critics of Trump questioned his performance, along with the wisdom of even accepting an invitation.
“Today we saw a terribly panicked Trump run off stage at NABJ. His staff had to pull him after they screwed up again by putting him on stage facing his worst nightmare: women of color,” said Ryan Wiggins, The Lincoln Project’s Chief of Staff. The Never Trumper group has regularly criticized Trump.
Wiggins also called out Trump’s campaign consultants, Florida-based Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles.
“Trump’s running scared and now should LaCivita and Wiles,” Wiggins continued. “You know Trump’s going to be asking around for names after this. And between picking JD Vance — who clearly wasn’t vetted, running the entire race against a guy who dropped out, attacking the rights of women, and embracing casual racism, this team couldn’t manage a cocktail party.”
For its part, Trump’s campaign called the questions at the event “liberal mainstream media malpractice.”
“President Trump has continually said that unlike Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, he’s running to be President for ALL Americans, and if you’re running to unite the entire Country, you have to back it up with action like President Trump did today at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago,” reads a statement from Trump campaign senior advisor Lynne Patton.
“Members of the media need to make a decision, and answer if their goal is to unite the Country or further divide us, because based on the unhinged and unprofessional commentary directed toward President Trump today by certain members of the media, many media elites clearly want to see us remain divided. This is unacceptable.”
Harris notably declined an invitation to the conference based on scheduling problems.
A spokesperson for the Harris campaign told The Associated Press it was Trump who created a hostile environment.
“Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency — while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in,” said Harris communications director Michael Tyler. “Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
37 comments
ScienceBLVR
July 31, 2024 at 6:16 pm
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. So, I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” Trump said.
OMG? You are kidding, he says this openly.. when she happened to turn black?
No matter, we shall overcome, not someday, but in November!
Ewe
August 1, 2024 at 5:38 am
By voting for Harris who did not prosecute the BART police for killing a black man on video? No.
Pastor Pasta
August 1, 2024 at 5:33 pm
So voting for the guy that has the full endorsement of the Klan and proud boys everywhere is the right choice to make here? Just wondering.
rick whitaker
August 2, 2024 at 11:41 am
paster pasta, isn’t that what floridians do, vote for the wrong guy over and over?
My Take
August 2, 2024 at 5:29 pm
And Nazis, don’t forget the Nazis.
Michael K
July 31, 2024 at 6:20 pm
Hostile?
Why is it that Trump, and Republicans in general, are always victims of persecution? Journalists ask questions. Outside of the Fox/Newsmax bubble, they often ask real questions.
Trump will decide not to debate Harris. He does not like smart women. And he despises smart Black women. They frighten him. He’s a coward.
Tom
August 1, 2024 at 7:02 am
Grievance politics – that’s all he has. When your whole political strategy is to hurl childish insults at people and somebody finally finds a way to blunt that impact and show it for exactly what it is, well then …. they must be hostile. I’m quite enjoying this unraveling although I suspect it won’t last long.
Don' Bother
July 31, 2024 at 6:29 pm
What kind of “environment” is Harris going to face? Oh, that’s right, she isn’t going to face any kind of environment. She’s not going to bother to go. She’s got them all in her pocket; Why should she bother, like Trump bothered? She has all the white folks to screen her off.
Kamala is Brat 🥥🌴🥥
July 31, 2024 at 7:18 pm
Biden was invited…. but Kamala was busy today!
Phil Morton
August 1, 2024 at 12:02 am
Harris was at a black lady’s funeral, speaking to a black sorority and attending a fundraiser sponsored by black legislators in Houston. A pretty good ways from Chicago.
Don' Bother
August 1, 2024 at 8:13 am
And she couldn’t have scheduled this event? Trump made time for the black journalists. He was motivated to do so. She wasn’t. For her it’s like stopping for soft serve when you own Breyers. That’s the core problem with her attitude. She’s a Demi. The party killed off its own senior leader to hand her the nomination, no question. She’s privileged and she knows it.
Phil Morton
August 1, 2024 at 8:47 am
Harris received a standing ovation in Houston while Trump was face planting in Chicago. The optics speak for themselves.
Don' Bother
August 1, 2024 at 9:59 am
She breezed through a cotillion while Trump stood up to journalists who had chips on their shoulders and took the questions and gave back as good as he got? Spare me! Nearly four years of pusillanimous leadership and that’s all she can do. What are we looking at, four years of “Sherri” Shepherd?
Tom
August 1, 2024 at 1:38 pm
Trump made time? He made a fool of himself but did meet his objective – to get back in the 24 hour news cycle even if it’s because he’s a clown. Even bad publicity is good I guess and God knows, he doesn’t get much good publicity.
Don' Bother
August 1, 2024 at 2:42 pm
Only staring down an assassin and walking away with his fist in the air. That’s all. Ain’t been done since Roosevelt–the first one. That’s all. He’ll take it, I imagine. Oh yeah. Got on the plane and went right back a couple weeks later. That’s another Demi problem. Being naturally gutless they don’t recognize guts nor value them.
Earl's newly freed wife
August 1, 2024 at 5:45 pm
Dump has cheated, lied, stole, and directed his moron trumphumpers to storm the capitol.
And you have issues with a black woman’s attitude? Sit down.
tom palmer
July 31, 2024 at 6:39 pm
Typical whining Trump and his lying surrogates. The US is energy independent, but that doesn’t fit the GOP propaganda machine. Birther foolishness, border policy racism, what a guy.
PeterH
July 31, 2024 at 7:21 pm
If Republicans want soft pedaled questions….. they should stick to Fox, NEWSMAX, Breitbart and Stormfront!
Michael roberts
July 31, 2024 at 7:26 pm
don was not smart to go. Doesn’t”t he have any body watching what he does ? What was he expecting ? DUH
ELVIS "The BIG Voice On The Right"
July 31, 2024 at 7:31 pm
Good evening Sage Patriots & Dook 4 Brains Leftys,
“ALWAYS REMEMBER: ITS NOT NEWS UNTIL ELVIS WEIGHS IN”.
America these “Dooks” who were disrespectful to Trump represent just a tiny tiney sub-set of the vast majority of our Great Nation’s Sage and Beloved Black Population.
“Well how do you know that ELVIS”?
“Thank you and I’m glad you asked, said ELVIS.
BECAUSE they are “JOURNALISTS”. The Black Journalist population in our Great Nation represent just 0.0000031% of America’s Black population.
The remaining American Blacks are voting for Trump.
THEREFORE:
Numerically these Journo’s opinions are Totally Irrevelant.
But the writer did his best to make a mountain out of a numerically irrelevant molehill. And it would have fooled many citizens had ELVIS not stepped up with his Sage Wisdom.
Thank you Sage Patriots & Dook 4 Brains Leftys,
ELVIS
ELVIS "The BIG Voice On The Right"
July 31, 2024 at 7:49 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen,
ELVIS seldom responds to his own Sage Posts of Wisdom but I just felt the need to Re-enforce the fact that The Dook 4 Brains Uber Leftist A.P. (Associated Press) contributed their “LIES, Damn Lies, and Statistics to the above article of “Shameless Propaganda”,
ELVIS
rick whitaker
August 2, 2024 at 11:33 am
earl, you love ap as i do. they give you the facts you love to deny.
rick whitaker
August 2, 2024 at 11:32 am
EARL PITTS AKA GARY BURBANK, i knew you would respond to this article because it is about race. being the uber racist you are, you can’t control yourself. you are compelled to make ugly racist comments every time you can. what a POS you are old man.
KathrynA
July 31, 2024 at 9:44 pm
What a dumb and dumber person, this Donald Trump is. He always was and seems to be getting worse. He thinks he can say anything without a bit of truth in it and no one should question him!! Rather authoritarian! Please make no excuses or try to explain away what he says! There is no excuse for this man!!
ELVIS "The BIG Voice On The Right"
August 1, 2024 at 7:26 am
Kathy the Nation Chastizes you for your irrespectful Dook 4 Brains Leftist comments blasphiming our Honorable next POTUS, DONALD J TRUMP.
For shame Kathy ….. for shame,
ELVIS
ELVIS
Bwj
August 1, 2024 at 3:50 pm
There is absolutely nothing honorable about Trump. He’s petty and vindictive. He’s a felon.
rick whitaker
August 2, 2024 at 11:25 am
earl aka gary burbank, you do not have or understand honor. what a POS you are sphincterman.
George
August 1, 2024 at 8:56 am
When asked, Trump identifies as “Racist Assh*le”.
Jojo
August 1, 2024 at 11:41 am
I’m not sure how Byron Donald looks in the mirror. He probably sees reflected the same image that Tim Scott and Clarence Thomas see
Tom
August 1, 2024 at 1:42 pm
He’s our local rep and I hope he gets booted next election. He’s wasted all his time kissing trumps fat a$$ and done absolutely NOTHING for the electorate.
Bwj
August 1, 2024 at 3:52 pm
Reminds me of Samuel L. Jackson’s character in Django Unchained.
Andy
August 1, 2024 at 12:05 pm
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature [1] will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Andy
August 1, 2024 at 12:06 pm
Don-OLD and sheep like you REAP WHAT YOU SOW! “A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” – Proverbs 11:18
You have to read it, not just carry it and show it!
MH/Duuuval
August 1, 2024 at 3:34 pm
So, will Trumpbe available for a live debate?
rick whitaker
August 2, 2024 at 11:45 am
byron donalds is about as hostile as they come, how dare him say that about the black journalist’. hostility is what maga knows best. byron donalds, what a joke.
JD
August 2, 2024 at 3:28 pm
Don’t forget Donalds is a convicted Drug Dealer and committed bank fraud. How the F@ck he become a House Representative is beyond me.
Silly Wabbit
August 2, 2024 at 3:34 pm
Twuth hostile?
Comments are closed.