Former President Donald Trump’s appearance before a gathering of Black journalists became contentious on Wednesday, primarily due to sharp questioning by ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott. Scott pressed Trump on past statements about Black leaders, his support of the January 6, 2021, rioters, and diversity hiring, leading the former president to complain about how he was treated. Trump appeared at a meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists, with some members objecting to his invitation and others feeling it was their duty as journalists to question him. The panel, which included Scott, Fox News Channel’s Harris Faulkner, and Semafor’s Kadia Goba, was delayed due to technical issues.
Scott, who has been with ABC News since 2016, asked Trump about his past statements and specifically cited instances where he made false accusations about Black leaders such as former President Barack Obama. Trump immediately criticized the question and accused Scott of being rude, comparing her to the network he referred to as a “fake news network.” The questioning escalated when Scott asked why Black voters should trust Trump after his controversial statements, prompting Trump to defend himself and assert that he was the best President for Black people since Abraham Lincoln.
The session continued with Scott questioning Trump’s support of individuals involved in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. She highlighted the injuries sustained by police officers during the assault and asked whether Trump considered the perpetrators to be patriots deserving of pardons. The panel ended on a confusing note, with Scott cutting off further questions from Faulkner about Project 2025. Trump later took to his Truth Social account to criticize the questions as rude and nasty, but claimed that they had performed well during the session.
Following the event, student journalist Kelly Arrington expressed disappointment in Trump’s responses, noting that he did not address the questions posed to him. The session quickly became a topic of discussion on social media, with some praising Scott for her tough questioning and others suggesting that Trump was set up. The exchange between Trump and Scott, along with the reactions from attendees and viewers, underscored the ongoing challenges and tensions in political discourse and media coverage in the United States. The session highlighted the importance of holding public figures accountable and asking challenging questions, regardless of their political affiliation.
