Former President Donald Trump’s controversial comments about Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial identity have ignited a firestorm of criticism and reignited debates about race in the 2024 presidential campaign. Speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago, Trump claimed that Harris, who has consistently identified as both Black and Indian-American, ‘happened to turn Black’ and questioned whether she was ‘Indian or Black’.Harris, who is poised to become the Democratic presidential nominee, responded to Trump’s remarks, calling them ‘the same old show’ of ‘divisiveness and disrespect’. She emphasized, ‘The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth, a leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts’.The White House condemned Trump’s comments as ‘repulsive’ and ‘insulting,’ with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating, ‘No one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify…only she can speak to her experience’.Despite widespread criticism, including from some prominent Republicans, Trump has doubled down on his remarks. On his social media platform Truth Social, he posted, ‘Crazy Kamala is saying she’s Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity!’.Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has begun the process of officially nominating Harris as their presidential candidate. The National Committee reported that 3,923 out of 4,000 delegates have signed a petition to include Harris on the nomination ballot. Harris is expected to announce her running mate next week.This controversy occurs as Harris maintains a slight lead over Trump in recent polls. As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding discussions of race and identity in American politics.
Key points
- Trump claimed Harris ‘happened to turn Black’ and questioned her racial identity at the NABJ convention.
- Harris responded by calling Trump’s remarks divisive and disrespectful, emphasizing the need for truthful leadership.
- The Democratic Party has begun the process of officially nominating Harris as their presidential candidate.
- Trump has doubled down on his comments via social media, despite criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans.
Contradictions👾While Trump claims Harris only recently ‘turned Black’, Harris has consistently identified as both Black and Indian-American throughout her career.
👾Trump’s running mate, J.
D.
Vance, described Harris as having a ‘chameleon-like personality’, while other Republicans have criticized Trump’s comments.
