On Monday, 20 African-American faith leaders were at the White House for a meeting with President Trump for a discussion on various issues including those that impact inner city communities across America.

The gathering happened at a time when Trump is facing accusations of racism from liberals and mainstream media journalists over his criticisms of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD-7) and the inhumane conditions in parts of his Congressional district.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on the meeting:

Atlanta Evangelist Alveda King said she was invited to the meeting that was planned several weeks ago.

[…]

King said the meeting was not a photo op and focused on urban affairs, “things that many of us around the table were concerned about” including the sanctity of life, urban development, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, prison reform, jobs and HBCUs.

King said she doesn’t think Trump is racist and or that his words and actions have emboldened white supremacists.

Another faith leader at the meeting was Pastor Bill Owens from the Coalition of African-American Pastors. The 80-year-old Owens was interviewed Monday night by CNN‘s Don Lemon in a segment that turned out to be a textbook example of agenda-driven journalism.

Here’s on overall recap of it went down:

“What did the president say about his attacks against the leaders of color and did any of the faith leaders raise concerns about that?” Lemon asked Owens on “CNN Tonight” after the pastor shared he has met with the president four times in five months.

“I don’t remember him saying anything about colored leaders, leaders that are colored. There was some things discussed, that were said, but I don’t remember him referring to leaders of color,” Owens, an African American, replied.

“Today the meeting was how can we help the black community. That is my concern. That was the purpose of the meeting. That is the reason I came to Washington. That is my focus, helping our inner-city young people especially. Our children. Our young people,” he added.

“So I know it’s hard for you, you think it’s hard to believe that Trump is racist. But he’s repeatedly used racially charged language. He consistently attacks black and brown elected leaders. So, why is that hard to believe, pastor?” Lemon asked.

“I find President Trump leader of all colors. He attacks who he will. He’s his own man. I can’t dictate what he should or shouldn’t do. But he does not just attack black people. He attacks anybody. And you know it,” Owens retorted.

“So as a man of faith, as a Christian he attacks anyone. It sounds like you’re condoning attacks? Is that Christianly or Godly?” Lemon asked.

“I’m just stating a statement of fact. I’m not condoning anything … President Trump does not pick the people he attacks because of color. He attacks anybody he feels needed,” Owens replied.

You can tell just from reading about the interview that Lemon changed the parameters of the discussion once Owens correctly pointed out that Trump’s criticisms are not about race. Lemon switched gears and then made it about whether or not Owens, as a Christian, condoned Trump attacking anyone.

Lemon, who has compared Trump to Hitler in the past, repeatedly pressed Owens to buy into the argument that Trump’s attacks are race-based, but Owens made it clear he wasn’t going to play that game.

And once Lemon figured out Owens was not taking the bait, the CNN anchor – who is gay – then despicably shifted his ire to Owens himself, accusing him in so many words at around the 2:35 mark of being a homophobe because he’s a conservative who is opposed to gay marriage. Lemon also cut Owens off several times during the segment, citing time constraints.

Watch the full interview below:

"President Trump does not attack people because of color. He attacks anybody he feels need it." – Rev. Bill Owens says Trump's meeting with African American pastors was not an attempt to insulate himself from his recent attacks on Rep. Cummings and his Baltimore district. pic.twitter.com/Vuyrsz75V9

— CNN (@CNN) July 30, 2019

Had Owens agreed with Lemon’s assessment of Trump’s motivations, not only would he not have been repeatedly cut off during the course of the interview, but his “controversial” views opposing gay marriage would never have been mentioned. But because Owens doesn’t and won’t toe the liberal line on “racism” accusations against the President, he got the Lemon Treatment.

The liberally biased interview was yet another nail in the coffin of CNN‘s journalistic credibility, but they’re beyond caring at this point because Orange Man Bad and stuff.

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— Based in North Carolina, Sister Toldjah is a former liberal and a 15+ year veteran of blogging with an emphasis on media bias, social issues, and the culture wars. Read her Red State archives here. Connect with her on Twitter. –