Former President Trump is expected to hit town tomorrow and
it's already causing backlash.
He's expected to speak in front of the National Association
of Black Journalists.
Spare Shots joins us from outside the Chicago Hilton where
that event is happening.
Paris.
Terrence and Sylvia, this is the annual giant convention held
by the NABJ and it got thrown on its head
late last night when the Trump campaign and event organizers
announced that the Republican nominee would be here tomorrow,
Wednesday, for a presentation and Q&A with political reporters.
The convention Co chair has already quit in protest to
the decision and today NABG President Ken Lemon is defending
the move.
For us as journalists, people who go into and have
very uncomfortable conversations for the sake.
Of our members, this is an important time.
This is a great opportunity for us to vet the
candidate right here on our ground,
and that's what we do.
A lot of people are speculating.
These discussions have gone on in earnest and true earnest,
probably more than a month back and forth with both
teams,
even before Wisconsin.
And Mayor Johnson issued a tweet last night promising that
city agencies would use their resources to keep the city
safe during this last minute visit.
Lemon mentions that NABJ invites presidential candidates every election cycle
for its annual convention.
Trump just happened to say yes,
The Harris campaign has not.
And a lot of NABG members we spoke to today
said they were caught off guard because this announcement came
down the Pike last night.
So they feel like this was some last minute decision
and no one knew this was even being discussed.
Now, local N A/B G member and retired Sun Times
columnist Maudlin Ejerica says it is fair to invite candidates
of all different parties,
but she feels this situation is different.
What's different in this case is that we have people
like April Ryan,
the former White House reporter who was continually denigrated,
disrespected, insulted, saying I object that we have people like
a convention Co chair resigning.
We have people just, you know,
very, very upset because there seems to be no benefit.
In in presenting both sides when the side that's being
presented is an alternate reality.
And it's not just inside the Hilton tomorrow that could
get very interesting,
but outside as well as protest groups have already put
out word on social media that they plan to come
down here on S Michigan Ave.
to protest at noon when this presentation from the former
president,
President Trump, is set to take place.
And we'll have much more later on today.
And, of course, we'll be out here tomorrow to cover
this.
And now we go back to you.