Get access to jquery object when using selector.DataTable()

I am trying to trigger a deselect from within another handler but I cannot get access to jquery object.

campaignRewardTable = $('#campaignReward').DataTable({...});
campaignRewardTable.on( 'deselect', function () {...});
getMerchants().success(function (data) {
   campaignRewardTable.ajax.reload( null, false );
   campaignRewardTable.trigger('deselect'); //Uncaught TypeError: campaignRewardTable.trigger is not a function
});

Any help is appreciated.