Black gay journalist breaks down in tears on air over President Trump
A gay African-American journalist summed up how a lot of people are feeling during a TV interview.
Channel 4 News host Jon Snow was interviewing Jonathan Capehart, an opinion writer for The Washington Post, in front of the White House, when he raised the prospect of change under a Trump administration.
Snow said: “Can I ask you one last question. You are a gay, black, Washington Post columnist, very respected… is this your America? Are you worried that it may become another America?”
Mr Capehart responded: “That is a very powerful question, Jon, and it moves me almost into silence. The election of President Obama was a great moment for this country, and now we stand two months away from…”
His voice broke off as he fought back tears, soldiering on, “…from all that disappearing. As an African-American, as an openly gay man, and as an American, this frightens me.”
The President-Elect’s former Michigan co-chair, Lena Epstein, attempted to play down suggestions that Trump would diminish equality.
She said: “My heart goes out to you, and I want to assure you from my personal experience with Mr Trump that he is a good man, he is a capable man, and he cares about all Americans, including you and your community.
“As someone who will be in his corner, going forward, I will be very careful to advocate and be sure that is the case. I can feel your pain, and I’m with you, and I know that a lot of people are scared.”
Mr Capehart said: “I have had occasion to meet Donald Trump, I’ve interviewed him, after the whole birther controversy. He was warm, he was charming, he was engaging.
“The man who ran for President over the last 15 months is not that man, and that is why I, and so many people, are afraid and praying for this nation.”
