On Monday, June 16th, NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson announced that for the first time in 116 years, the sitting president of the United States will not be invited to the NAACP National Convention, coming up July 12-16 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He shared the following statement:
“For 116 years, the NAACP has invited the sitting president of the United States to address the NAACP National Convention — regardless of their political party. There is a rich history of both Republicans and Democrats attending our convention — from Harry Truman to Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and beyond. We’re nonpartisan and always welcome those who believe in democracy and the Constitution.
“But right now, it’s clear — Donald Trump is attacking our democracy and our civil rights. He believes more in the fascist playbook than in the U.S. Constitution. This playbook is radical and un-American. The president has signed unconstitutional executive orders to oppress voters and undo federal civil rights protections; he has illegally turned the military on our communities, and he continually undermines every pillar of our democracy to make himself more powerful and to personally benefit from the U.S. government.
“The NAACP Convention has always been a place where people across the country come together to map out our advocacy and mobilization strategies to advance civil rights and democracy for all. Our annual convention is meant to be a safe space for all people — regardless of political ideology — who believe in multiracial democracy and the ideal of building a more perfect union.
“To that end, the NAACP has made the decision to break with tradition and not invite Donald Trump or J.D. Vance this year. This administration does not respect the Constitution or the rule of law. It would be a waste of our time and energy to give a platform to fascism, which would be unacceptable.”
CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett spoke to Johnson on “The Takeout with Major Garrett” to discuss the organization’s reasoning for not extending an invitation to the 47th President, Steven A. Smith’s critique of not inviting the sitting president, as well as Mr. Trump’s budget bill.
On Friday, June 20th, ESPN sports analyst, Steven A. Smith, host of The Steven A. Smith Show, criticized the NAACP for not inviting President Donald Trump to speak at its convention, rejecting the organization’s 116-year-old custom.
“He has been the most powerful, the most influential member of the GOP since 2015,” Smith said. “How do you refusing to invite him, ostracizing him, not wanting to hear what he has to say to you all — how does that help you? How?”
Garret read Smith’s comments and asked how he responds to Smith’s criticism of the NAACP
“Anytime I’m looking for advice about sports or sports analysts, sports commentary, I go to and listen to him, among others, but when it comes to politics, policy, and what we should do as an organization, he’s the last person I would go to. It is really important for all Americans to understand that the role of the NAACP is to make democracy work for all
NAACP President Johnson further emphasized that Trump has declined all previous invitations to address the NAACP convention.
Specifically, in 2016, as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, he declined to speak at the convention. He also declined invitations to address the conventions in 2017 and 2018 while serving as president. In 2019, he also declined, citing changes in the planned format of the appearance, as he had agreed to deliver a speech, but organizers preferred a question-and-answer session.
“We invited him as candidate Trump in 2016, we invited him all 4 years when he was in office, he was invited in 2020 when he was again candidate Trump, and he has yet to ever accept the invitation. But this time, not only are we not going to waste an invitation, we don’t want him on our stage because when he has done in the past, he displays a lack of discipline when he gets the microphone…” Johnson shared on The Takeout.
You can watch the full interview here.
Thousands are expected to flock to uptown Charlotte, NC, Wednesday, July 09th – Wednesday, July 16th for the NAACP’s 116th National Convention. “The NAACP National Convention is an empowering and immersive experience held each year to celebrate our community’s collective power,” the organization says. “The Convention attracts innovative change-makers, thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, entertainers, influencers, and creatives to network and exchange ideas.”
The 2025 NAACP National Convention’s theme is “The Fierce Urgency of Now”. This theme emphasizes the ongoing need for action and unity in the fight for civil rights and social justice, especially given the current political climate and challenges faced by the Black community, according to the NAACP. The convention will focus on empowering the Black community and continuing the fight for equality.
Why invite the devil to your convention?! So he can use your platform to spread more racism, hate, and division? Knowing what this man stands for goes against the principles of the NAACP. He and his MAGA/cultish administration are dismantling civil rights protections, oppressing voters, and banning Black history from being taught in our schools and universities. He has built a “Concentration” in the middle of the Florida Everglades to house all migrants, with plans to build more throughout the country. Never break bread with the devil.
Steven Smith IS NOT ADOS!
Deal with CARICOM and stay out of our affairs!!!
An elder has spoken!!!