(The Center Square) – Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday that illegal immigration and inflation are devastating the Black community.
The former president engaged in conversation with political journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Chicago on Wednesday.
Trump said he wants to stop people from invading the country illegally.
“Coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking Black jobs,” Trump said.
The former president said young Black people don’t have access to the American dream anymore because of inflation.
“Inflation is a disaster, and it’s destroying our country and it’s destroying the Black community,” Trump said.
Trump told moderator Harris Faulkner he would close the border on Day One as president.
“We want people to come in, Harris, but they have to be vetted. They have to be checked. They have to come in legally,” Trump said.
The former president said energy policy would also be a first-day priority.
“I’d bring energy way down. I’d bring interest rates down. I’d bring inflation way down, so people can buy bacon again. So people can buy a ham sandwich again. So that people can go to a restaurant and afford it,” Trump said.
Moderators for the event were Rachel Scott of ABC News, Faulkner of Fox News and Kadia Goba of Semafor. The event was cut short after it started more than an hour late due to audio issues.
NABJ President Ken Lemon said in a statement on the NABJ Convention website that the NABJ was in talks with Vice President Kamala Harris’ team before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race for president in July. Lemon said Harris would not be available for the convention, but he said the NABJ is in talks with Harris’ campaign for an in-person or virtual Q&A in September.
The convention runs through Aug. 4 at the Hilton Chicago.