‘Problem was his threat’: Ken Lemon reveals why Donald Trump was late for NABJ interview

WASHINGTON, DC:  National Association of Black Journalists president Ken Lemon revealed that Donald Trump was late for the interview during the NABJ Convention because he did not want to be fact-checked live.

Lemon informed Axios that Trump refused to go on stage if he was going to be fact-checked. The former president's interview was delayed by more than an hour.

Donald Trump didn't want to be fact-checked live

Ken Lemon said, "The bigger problem was his threat not to take the stage when he had agreed to go on. He did not want to be fact-checked, but we could not let him on the stage without fact-checking."

Lemon further informed Axios that he was preparing to announce that Trump would not appear because of the fact-checking dispute when the former president abruptly walked on stage.

However, Trump campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung said that Trump waited "for close to 40 minutes while audio/technical issues were fixed by NABJ".

During the interview, Trump took jibes at Kamala Harris stating that she had previously downplayed her Black heritage. He said, "She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black, until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black."

He added, "So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black? But you know what, I respect either one, but she obviously doesn't, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she went - she became a Black person."

Internet grills Donald Trump as NABJ president reveals he didn't want to be fact-checked live

Several social media users users grilled Donald Trump as Ken Lemon revealed that the former president didn't want to be fact-checked live and that was the reason why he was late for the interview. 

A user said, "It got off to a bad start primarily because Trump isn't smart enough to understand the idiom, "the elephant in the room", and he thought they were referring to him personally."

 "Trump and his team are going on full defense mode, and by defense I mean, excuses," said another.

A person also stated, "Trump says the NABJ conference introduction was very rude. He was welcomed and asked a straight forward question USING HIS OWN "PAST" WORDS. So, his past words were RUDE? Right?".

Another mentioned, "This is why trump only wants to speak with people who won't question him. He loves his rallies. Nothing but praise and zero questions."

A user also said, "It’s pretty well-documented that Donald Trump is a liar, but the rate at which he lies is actually sort of impressive."

A comment read, "When it comes to Trump, fact checking is what should happen. On the spot, to prove him a liar to his face on national TV."

Another user remarked, "I like the idea of live fact-checking. Add to that a flashing sign that says True or False plus maybe some audio doing the same."

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