Trump Questions Kamala Harris’ ‘Blackness’ At Journalists’ Convention
During a contentious address at the National Association of Black Journalists’ annual convention, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump questioned the racial identity of his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Is she Indian or is she Black?” Trump asked the audience of approximately 1,000 attendees. “She was Indian all the way, and all of a sudden she made a turn and became a Black person.”
Harris, whose mother is Indian and father is Black, is the first Black and first Asian American U.S. vice president. Trump’s comments drew immediate backlash from the audience and political figures alike.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned Trump’s remarks, stating, “What he just said is repulsive. It’s insulting.”
Misinformation about Harris’ racial identity has been circulating on far-right and conservative social media accounts. Despite this, Harris has consistently identified as both Black and South Asian American.
Vice President Harris has challenged Trump to a debate and recently launched her presidential campaign in Georgia with a high-profile rally. Since the campaign’s start, she has faced numerous sexist and racist attacks online. In response, Republican Party leaders have urged members to focus on policy differences rather than personal attacks.
The panel interview at the convention began tensely when ABC News reporter Rachel Scott asked Trump why Black voters should support him given his history of racist remarks. Trump criticized the question as “horrible,” “hostile,” and a “disgrace,” while labeling ABC as a “fake” network. He claimed, “I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln.”
Trump’s appearance at the convention sparked backlash, leading to a co-chair of the event resigning in protest. Despite this, Trump has made significant inroads with Black voters, particularly Black men, after President Joe Biden struggled to mobilize this key demographic. According to Pew Research, Biden won Black voters 92%-8% over Trump in 2020.
However, Biden’s decision to step aside for Harris could challenge Trump’s progress. The former president has been actively courting Black voters and plans to hold a rally in Atlanta, a city with a significant Black population, on Saturday.
The presidential race is expected to be closely contested, with narrow margins in key battleground states. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Trump leading Harris 43%-42%, within the poll’s margin of error, indicating a tightening race as Harris gains ground following Biden’s campaign difficulties.
