“I was prepared to go on stage to craft a statement, saying he decided not to go on stage because of fact-checking… we couldn’t compromise on that.”
As [NABJ president Ken] Lemon was preparing that statement, Trump walked onto the stage.
“I was prepared to go on stage to craft a statement, saying he decided not to go on stage because of fact-checking… we couldn’t compromise on that.”
As [NABJ president Ken] Lemon was preparing that statement, Trump walked onto the stage.
That is downright bizarre!
"Between the lines: In the aftermath, members remain divided on whether it was right for NABJ to extend the invitation and give a platform to Trump. Some said it was embarrassing; others praised the interviewers for their tough questioning.
Brittany Cummings, a communications professional, was among the members who didn’t think the organization should have extended the invitation to Trump. “I’m not sure that any group of journalists has the ‘secret sauce’ to make him tell the truth and speak as a normal candidate would,” she said. “He’s not a normal candidate, so we can’t treat him as such.” “During the actual discussion, he was disrespectful, and I don’t think there was anything new to learn.”"