CHICAGO, August 1— Former President Donald Trump, during an appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago, falsely accused Vice President Kamala Harris of misleading voters about her racial background, leading to a tense interview on Wednesday.
Trump erroneously alleged that Harris, the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, had previously only emphasized her Indian heritage. “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” Trump remarked during the group’s annual convention.
Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, both immigrants to the U.S., attended Howard University, a notable historically Black university, and was a member of the historically Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. As a U.S. senator, she was part of the Congressional Black Caucus and championed voting rights and police reform.
Michael Tyler, communications director for Harris’ campaign, condemned Trump’s comments. “The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, his term in office, and his campaign as he seeks to regain power,” Tyler said. He added, “Trump’s personal attacks on Black journalists mirror his failure to support Black families and the broader American public, proving he cannot unite the country and instead seeks to divide us.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who is Black, expressed disbelief when asked about Trump’s remarks during her briefing. She described Trump’s comments as “repulsive” and said, “It’s insulting and no one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify.”
Responding to Trump’s comments, Harris stated, “It is unfortunate and deeply concerning that the former president continues to use divisive rhetoric to undermine unity in our country. My identity as a Black and Indian American is a source of pride and strength, and I remain committed to serving all Americans, regardless of their background.”
Trump has a history of questioning the racial backgrounds of his opponents. He gained prominence in Republican politics by promoting the false theory that President Barack Obama, the first Black president, was not born in the United States. This was just the start of his history of questioning the credentials and qualifications of Black politicians.
Trump has denied allegations of racism, citing a past donation to Harris’s campaign as evidence. A Trump campaign spokesperson, Katrina Pierson, previously pointed to this donation as proof of his non-racist stance, stating, “The president, as a private businessman, donated to candidates across all aisles. Kamala Harris is a Black woman, and he donated to her campaign, so I hope we can squash this racism argument now.”
