In a contentious interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference on Wednesday, former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump launched a pointed attack on Vice-President Kamala Harris, questioning her racial identity and accusing her of politically motivated identity changes.
“So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” Trump inquired, alleging that Harris had previously identified as Indian before purportedly “turning Black” for political advantage. His comments falsely suggested that Harris had changed her racial identity, despite her long-standing identification as Black and her graduation from a historically Black university.
Vice-President Harris responded to Trump’s remarks during a sorority gathering in Houston, Texas, condemning the attacks as “the same old show” of “divisiveness and disrespect.” She emphasized the need for unity and respectful leadership, stating, “The American people deserve better. We deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us; they are an essential source of our strength.”
Trump’s comments come in the wake of a major shift in the 2024 presidential race. On July 21, President Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy, endorsing Harris as the Democratic nominee. This endorsement has boosted Harris’s favorability ratings and resulted in over $200 million in campaign donations.
The former president’s remarks are likely to have significant repercussions in the 2024 White House race, as he seeks to improve his standing with Black voters. Following his controversial statements, Trump continued his offensive at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where he narrowly survived an assassination attempt earlier this month. He reiterated his criticism of Harris, calling her campaign “phony” and mocking her speaking style during a recent rally in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Everything about Kamala Harris’s rollout, it’s phony,” Trump told his supporters. “On the one hand you have a radical left puppet candidate who is fake fake fake, and on the other hand you have a president who will fight fight fight for America.”
Trump’s attacks on Harris have intensified in recent weeks as he struggles to find an effective strategy against the vice-president. He has used various derogatory nicknames and made unfounded allegations, including accusing her of being anti-Semitic despite her marriage to Jewish Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and claiming she supports the murder of newborns.
As the 2024 election campaign heats up, Trump’s incendiary remarks and Harris’s strong rebuttals underscore the deep divisions and high stakes in the battle for the White House.
