Trump Heads to NABJ Conference as Harris Prepares to Name VP: Election Live Updates

Former President Donald J. Trump is set to take center stage at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention in Chicago. This decision has stirred a heated debate and caused a co-chairwoman of the association hosting the event to step down from her post. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is readying up to announce her running mate.

Trump Heads to Black Journalists Conference Amid Tensions

On Wednesday, Trump plans to participate in a Q&A session at a conference for Black journalists held in Chicago. This decision has sparked intense division among attendees and led to a chairwoman stepping down. The event, nonetheless, will proceed, with Trump expected onstage at 1 p.m. Eastern time.

Meanwhile, the former President’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, will be presenting at a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Trump himself will headline the said rally.

Harris Gears Up to Announce Running Mate

In anticipation of the campaign next week, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to announce her running mate. Before the big reveal, Harris will be speaking at a Sigma Gamma Rho event in Houston. The event, set for Wednesday, is Harris’s second visit to a Black Greek-letter organization this month. All this comes after Black sororities and fraternities rallied behind her bid.

A Look into the Nation’s Election Updates

In Arizona, Kari Lake of the Republican Party won the Senate primary, according to reports by The Associated Press. This result establishes a high-stakes contest in autumn for the current seat of Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who is planning to retire. On the flip side, Republican voters removed a top-ranking official in Arizona’s largest county who fell out of favor with conservatives after defending the Arizona voting system relating to the disputed claims surrounding illegalities in the 2020 elections.

Back to the Harris campaign, it was revealed that the Vice President will start joint campaigns with the soon-to-be-named running mate as early as next week. The travel schedule suggests that she will make the anticipated announcement before Tuesday, ahead of the campaign’s Wednesday deadline.

Division among Black Journalists over Trump’s Appearance

An intense issue is brewing within the National Association of Black Journalists, with former President Donald Trump’s planned conference appearance raising concerns. His forthcoming attendance has stirred stark reactions, leading to resignation by the Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, a co-chairwoman of the event. Simultaneously, April Ryan, a distinguished member of the association, warned about Trump’s historical threats towards Black women.

Despite these differences, the association’s leaders maintain that all significant party candidates should not be shunned from interviews. Vice President Kamala Harris was also extended an invite but was unavailable for the session. As per Ken Lemon, the group’s president, they are currently negotiating “virtual options in the future”.