Nationwide — President Donald Trump reportedly canceled a supposed appearance at the 110th NAACP National Convention this year in Detroit. Apparently, he backed out when he learned that he would have to do a question and answer instead of a speech.
NAACP, the largest and oldest civil rights organization, has traditionally invited presidents to its annual national convention regardless of the party they belong to, hence, the invitation to Trump. But Trump refused, seemingly because he doesn’t want to be questioned.
Trump said he initially agreed to deliver a speech. He would have talked about policies he says are helping African Americans, including low unemployment and sentencing reform, like what he had often spoken about.
Meanwhile, Rev. Wendell Anthony, the NAACP Detroit Branch President, said that Trump’s absence wouldn’t affect the convention.
“He blew an opportunity quite frankly, but we will do our best to go on without him,” Anthony sarcastically told Fox2. “There is a format; every candidate has said that he or she would be glad to participate in. It’s beyond us as to why that would be of some discomfort for the president.”
“We are American citizens,” Anthony added. “We have a right to question our presidents and ask the leader of the free world what our future will be.”
Anyhow, a lot of other presidential candidates and elected officials such as Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, will be participating in the NAACP forum on July 24.