On a day that was marked by the Donald Trump campaign breaking the 1237 delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination NBC focused on stoking controversy. “Trump opening the door to debate Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of his most dogged Democratic attackers,” reported NBC’s Hallie Jackson on Nightly News Thursday, “Trump's nickname for her, Pocahontas.” And from there it was a Trump slugfest as they piled on him.
After introducing Trump’s nickname for Warren, Jackson gave the spot light to a reporter who desired to be a part of the story. “Prompted this exchange with a Native American writer,” Jackson teed up.
TRUMP: Who, Pocahontas?
UNIDENTIFIED: Is that offensive?
TRUMP: Look, she is— She is
NICOLE ROBERTSON: That’s very offensive! Sorry.
TRUMP: Oh I’m sorry about that. Pocahontas? So, what you said? Elizabeth Warren?
Nicole Robertson is a Native American reporter from North Dakota, where Trump was speaking, who thought it was appropriate for a reporter to reprimand a candidate.
Robertson’s outburst was unbecoming of a journalist and was effectively a protest of Trump. Often times journalist find themselves in places where they may not agree with what is being said, but they must have the self-control to hold in disapproval. Instead of shouting at Trump, and interrupting his answer to another reporter, she could have just reported on his nickname and how it offends Native Americans.
Jackson used the outburst as springboard to hammer on Trump’s older controversies. She also mentioned that Trump’s comments have alienated him among world leaders and touted how President Obama is eager to take him on in the general election.
Transcript below:
NBC
Nightly News
May 26, 2016
7:08:05 pm EasternLESTER HOLT: It's official now, Donald Trump has hit the magic number of delegates he needs to clinch the GOP nomination. He marked a moment by offering to debate, not Hillary Clinton, but rather, her primary opponent, Bernie Sanders for $10 million to go to charity. NBC's Hallie Jackson reports on this highly unusual challenge.
[Cuts to video]
DONALD TRUMP: That’s a lot of people. Boy, oh boy.
HALLIE JACKSON: With his presidential bid making history, Donald Trump is ready to make more.
TRUMP: I'd love to debate Bernie. He's a dream.
JACKSON: The businessman hoping to make a deal with Democrat Bernie Sanders for an unprecedented one on one debate, if they can raise $10 million for women's health charities. Online fundraisers already popping up. Sanders eager to do it in “the biggest stadium possible.”
BERNIE SANDERS: It's important that somebody hold him to task for his outrageously bigoted remarks.
JACKSON: It would be the first of its kind in modern political history. A presumptive nominee up against the other party’s likely losing candidate. But just like it's in Sanders' interest to soak up any debate spotlight, it's in Trump's interest to keep Sanders relevant.
NICOLLE WALLACE: There are no political risks to Donald Trump in debating Bernie Sanders because Trump never really delivered a stellar debate performance, yet, his poll numbers always seem to tick up a little bit.
JACKSON: Trump opening the door to debate Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of his most dogged Democratic attackers. She once identified herself as part Native American. Trump's nickname for her, Pocahontas. Prompted this exchange with a Native American writer.
TRUMP: Who, Pocahontas?
UNIDENTIFIED: Is that offensive?
TRUMP: Look, she is— She is
NICOLE ROBERTSON: That’s very offensive! Sorry.
TRUMP: Oh I’m sorry about that. Pocahontas? So, what you said? Elizabeth Warren?
JACKSON: Yet another controversial moment for the candidate, who today didn't back down from his temporary proposed Muslim ban, a stance that alienated some international allies as President Obama overseas takes Trump to task.
BARACK OBAMA: They are not sure how seriously to take some of his pronouncements, but they’re rattled by him.
[Cuts back to live]
JACKSON: Top Democratic sources tell NBC News the president is eager to go after Trump in the general election. Trump ready to return the favor. Rebuking the president's energy policies in his speech today before heading to this rally in Montana, his first since clinching the number of delegates he needs for the nomination.
