NORFOLK, Va. — Former President Donald Trump is receiving backlash following remarks he made at the National Association for Black Journalists (NABJ) Conference in Chicago. This year's conference theme was "Winds for Change: Journalism Over Disinformation."
Many Black media professionals, professional journalists, and aspiring journalists filled the room as the panelists -- FOX News anchor Harris Faulkner, ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott, and Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba -- asked the former president questions about his statements concerning Vice President Kamala Harris.
"It kind of was nervous laughter, but that was in terms of, 'I can't believe he's saying this,'" said Hampton University journalism student and former NABJ student chapter president Christian Thomas.
Trump was grilled on his claims about Vice President Kamala Harris' racial identity. At the conference, Trump falsely said that Harris once claimed her Indian heritage over her Black heritage.
"I think mispronouncing the vice president's name is not surprising. This is the behavior of the former president," said Norfolk State University Political and Legal Analyst Dr. Eric Caville.
Trump also refused to answer questions about his claims that Harris is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or DEI hire, his stance on police immunity, and his definition of a "Black job."
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Caville said his refusal to answer could impact the "undecided vote" for the November Presidential election.
"I believe, as it relates to his supporters, that is going to be a good thing for him and his campaign. However, when you talk about voters who are on the fence, independent voters. Those that are still trying to determine which candidate is the best, I believe, are where you're going to find where the president has problems attracting new voters into the fold," said Caville.
NABJ leaders also used a fact-checking system while Trump was on stage. Thomas, an aspiring journalist, said watching journalists hold Trump accountable was exciting to watch.
"Being that disinformation and misinformation [is] the topic during election season, [it] couldn't be at a better time," said Thomas.
After the conference, Trump flew to Pennsylvania for a campaign event. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris could not attend the conference due to a scheduling event. However, she will be in Chicago on August 19 for the Democratic National Convention.