During a panel discussion with the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago, former President Donald Trump erupted controversy with remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial background. The discussion took a contentious turn when Trump clashed with ABC’s Rachel Scott, dismissing her questions as “horrible,” criticizing her for a “very rude introduction,” and labeling her as “nasty.”
He later discussed his late appearance on the show on Truth Social, but the viral interview clip has already left the public feeling that “this may cost him big time.”
The panel discussion began with Rachel Scott, a reporter for ABC, confronting Republican nominee Donald Trump after he arrived nearly an hour late. Scott questioned Trump on his decision to address a group of Black journalists, women, and Chicago residents given his previous criticisms of these groups. She also asked why he thought Black voters would support him and raised concerns about his controversial dinner with white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
“You have told four congresswomen of color who are American citizens to go back where they came from. You have used words like ‘animal’ and ‘rabid’ to describe Black district attorneys,” Scott asked. “Why should Black voters trust you after you have used language like that?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner—first question,” Trump responded to the query seemingly picking up the fight. “You don’t even say, ‘Hello, how are you?'” he added.
The Republican candidate then went on to attack her network and said, “Are you with ABC? Because I think they’re a fake news network, a terrible network, and I think it’s disgraceful that I came here in good spirits.”
Trump labeled Scott’s question as “a really rude way to start” and expressed surprise at how it was presented. He claimed he had been misinformed about his opponent’s attendance and attributed his tardiness to technical difficulties, describing the question as “very nasty.”
Trump attributed his late arrival to “equipment hiccups” and blamed the event organizers. However, the real controversy emerged when he claimed to be the best president for Black Americans since Abraham Lincoln, leaving journalists incredulous. Scott intensified the scrutiny by challenging Trump’s contentious assertion that illegal border crossings were taking “Black jobs,” further questioning the logic behind his statements.
“I will tell you that, coming from the border, are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking Black jobs,” Trump remarked after expressing how much he loves the black population of the country and how much he has done for them in the past.
“What exactly is a Black job, sir?” Scott asked the audience as well as fellow panelists to gasp.
“A Black job is anybody that has a job,” the former president responded with unease. “They’re taking the employment away from Black people.”
Reaction of Nitizens
Reacting to the clip, one social media user wrote, “I honestly cannot believe we are dealing with this nightmare (him) again.” Another said, “Wow, this man talks to Black women this way but claims to respect them. No way, no how. How can any Hispanic, Black, or Brown person ever vote for this clown?” Yet another added, “He’s disgraceful and a national embarrassment,” with several others suggesting he might lose his election bid if this continues.
