The ongoing spectacle of American politics took an interesting turn recently when former President Donald Trump called out Vice President Kamala Harris for her conspicuous absence at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention. Trump didn’t hold back in his critique, suggesting that Harris’s refusal to attend the event was a blatant act of disrespect. His analysis included a cheeky prediction that Harris would ultimately have to show up, albeit virtually, because she had “no choice” in the matter. It seems as if Trump’s presence in Chicago was as inevitable as the sun rising in the east.
Trump and Harris were both invited to engage with the press at the NABJ convention, which had the audacity to schedule the event during a prime time slot at 1 p.m. EDT. While Trump booked his flight to give the press a proper audience, Harris reportedly asked for permission to appear via Zoom. One can only wonder if she believes the convention is merely a digital affair. After all, nothing quite says “I’m engaged” like sitting at home in pajamas while you join the nation’s journalists through a screen.
Trump calls Harris disrespectful for not attending National Association of Black Journalists event https://t.co/7p6TthHpuO
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) July 31, 2024
Predictably, Trump responded with a mix of sarcasm and incredulity upon discovering that Harris, despite previously declining, may engage with the NABJ after all, albeit from the comfort of her own home. One would almost feel sorry for Harris, given the confused gymnastics required to justify her lack of physical presence. If anyone thought she might hold strong against the tide of public scrutiny, it seems more and more like that theory has been debunked.
As expected, the Harris campaign rallied to defend their candidate, gearing up to remind the public about Trump’s checkered history with the media, particularly with NABJ members. They claimed that Trump had frequently belittled members of the Black press and that his participation in the event was an affront to the values the organization espouses. It’s safe to say that if the press has any love for underdogs, they just may be rooting for a Harris comeback in Chicago, albeit through a Zoom screen.
The pre-event drama has all the makings of a classic political showdown, with Trump’s participation stirring quite the pot among NABJ members. Some were quick to express their outrage, labeling the former president’s appearance as an affront to Black journalists everywhere. However, if the rabble-rousers thought they could keep Trump out, they clearly underestimated the former president’s appetite for media attention. It seems that whether in person or virtually, the political stage is set, and the show must go on, regardless of who prefers the comfort of their couch.