Fox News’ Harris Faulkner criticized ABC’s Rachel Scott for an “emotional” opening to her interview with former President Trump at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention on Wednesday.
Faulkner said the host should have welcomed Trump back on stage and acknowledged the assassination attempt he had suffered just a few weeks earlier.
Scott began his Q&A with Trump by quoting his past comments about black people and asking why black voters should trust him, to which Trump fired back, saying he had never been questioned “in such a nasty way.”
“He didn’t even come out on stage and say hello to acknowledge that it’s been 18 days since he survived an assassination attempt. We’re going to ask the tough questions, but Mr. President, welcome. I’m glad you’re still here.” Faulkner said.
“I mean, it didn’t take much for him to show his humanity and in that moment, I was so disappointed that it didn’t happen,” she said, adding, “Things got off to an emotional start.”
Faulkner co-hosted the event with Scott and Semaphore’s Kadia Goba, and Trump’s interview and combative tone at times came across as negative, eliciting spirited responses from the audience.
Faulkner said Thursday that while some were critical of Trump’s comments, they were expressed “respectfully.”
“But there was a way to take some of the energy out of that moment,” she said.
On Fox’s show on Wednesday, Faulkner said there was an argument onstage over whether Trump had heard the question.
She argued Thursday that she should have been seated more in the circle so the former president could hear the questions and she could hear the responses.
“So we said we’re no longer under COVID-19 restrictions and we need to be more distant so we can talk to each other,” Folkler said.
Trump sat on the far left, Scott closest, Goba in the middle and Falk to the right, furthest away in a straight line from the former president.
The Hill has reached out to ABC for comment.
