Secret insider spills behind-the-scenes scheme by television broadcasters to embarrass Trump during disputed encounter with acclaimed African-American journalist.
Fox News host Harris Faulkner alleges that executives tried to humiliate former President Donald Trump during a panel interview at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference in Chicago last month. According to Faulkner, she witnessed executives discussing plans to handle Trump negatively during a backstage delay.
During the panel on July 31, Faulkner, ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, and Semafor reporter Kadia Goba interviewed Trump. The interview started more than 30 minutes behind schedule, and Trump accused Scott of asking 'nasty' questions throughout the encounter.
Faulkner claims she was given a new script during the interview that she had not seen during the pre-show briefs. She believes this script was intended to ambush Trump, and she attempted to redirect the conversation by asking about his potential choice of JD Vance as his running mate, stating that she wanted to steer the discussion back to journalism.
Trump and Scott had a contentious exchange, particularly when Scott asked multiple questions touching on Trump's criticism of African-American journalists and the Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis. Scott faced criticism from some for what others deemed an inappropriate introduction and questioning style.
The interview was marred by technical issues, and Trump complained about the faulty equipment. He also criticized Scott's line of questioning and likened ABC News to a 'fake news network.' Trump additionally made controversial comments regarding Kamala Harris, stating that he didn't know whether she was of Indian or black heritage and suggesting that her ethnicity should be investigated.
It is unclear whether the alleged backstage plot to humiliate Trump ever took place, as no other sources have reported or corroborated such an incident. The focus of analysis surrounding the interview has primarily been on the tension between Trump and the Black female journalists involved.
Harris Faulkner, having voiced her concerns, questioned whether executives might have also prepared unfavorable 'news' and 'videos' about Trump for the 'entertainment' segment of Fox News, given the alleged plot to humiliate him during the backstage delay of the NABJ panel. Meanwhile, the panel discussion on general-news topics like Trump's potential choice of JD Vance as his running mate, and the controversy surrounding his comments regarding Kamala Harris' ethnicity, sparked debates about fair journalism and the balance between 'crime-and-justice' reporting and sensitive issues related to race and identity. Despite the ongoing discussions, the truth behind the alleged backstage plot remains uncertain, with no other sources providing corroboration thus far.
