- "Is she black?" Trump provokes with attack on Harris
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sparked outrage with a bizarre attack on his rival, Kamala Harris. Harris, he claimed at an event before the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago, had long played up her Indian heritage and then "suddenly became black." Trump, who was overall aggressive at the event, launched further attacks on Harris and also went after the black moderators. Harris accused him of "division" and "disrespect."
Trump's offensive came just before the start of a multi-day online vote, in which U.S. Democrats plan to officially nominate Harris as their presidential candidate before their party convention in Chicago later this month. She is set to face Trump in the November presidential election.
"Is she Indian or is she black?" Trump asked about Harris. "She was always of Indian descent and only played up her Indian heritage. I didn't know she was black until she suddenly became black a few years ago. And now she wants to be known as black," he said. The former U.S. president then asked, "So, I don't know: Is she Indian or is she black?" He claimed to respect both, but then added, "I think someone should look into that."
Harris is the first woman, the first black person, and the first person of Asian descent to take the oath as U.S. vice president. Born in Oakland, California, her father immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica to study economics, and her mother, a cancer researcher and civil rights activist, came from India.
That the white former president questioned Harris' black identity in a room full of black journalists and suggested that the Democrat didn't truly belong and was only pandering to black voters for political gain is bizarre. Political commentators, even from the Republican camp, criticized Trump for alienating potential black voters. An unnamed Republican congressman told the news portal "Axios" that Trump's appearance was "terrible."
"Offensive" and "reprehensible"
The White House reacted angrily to Trump's comments. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the first black woman to hold the position, called the remarks "offensive" and "reprehensible."
Harris did not address Trump's attacks in detail. At a campaign event in Texas, she said Trump had delivered "the same old show of division and disrespect" in Chicago. "The American people deserve better."
Not an isolated incident for Trump
Trump had already given credence to racist conspiracy theories about Harris in 2020, questioning whether she was even eligible to be vice president because her parents were not U.S. citizens at the time of her birth.
Years earlier, Trump had promoted conspiracy theories questioning the birthplace of former President Barack Obama, suggesting he was born in Kenya rather than Hawaii, where he was actually born.
Trump has a history of making racist and dehumanizing remarks, particularly about migrants entering the country illegally, whom he has referred to as "animals" and painted as criminals and lunatics.
Trump's Chicago Appearance Met with Immediate Criticism Over Racist Remarks; He Launches into Tirade
Trump's appearance in Chicago was met with immediate criticism over racist remarks as soon as he stepped onto the stage with three black female journalists. He quickly went on the offensive, complaining about the "terrible" welcome, despite coming with good intentions, and griping about malfunctioning microphones and a "hostile" atmosphere from the questioners. The former president could have used the gathering to court an important voter base.
He also falsely claimed that Harris had not passed the bar exam. Harris was the first black district attorney of San Francisco and later the first attorney general of her home state, California.
Trump continued his attacks on Harris at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, calling her the worst vice president in history. He claimed she wants to open borders for migrants and abolish the police, saying her "extreme liberalism" is dangerous. "She's a radical left nut," he railed.
Harris' Online Convention Kick-off
Today, the Democrats begin their multi-day online vote to officially nominate Harris as their presidential candidate. Delegates from all states, who will participate in the party convention in Chicago in mid-August, will cast their votes via an online platform. The Democratic Party announced that the vote will run until the following Monday. Harris is the sole qualifier for this virtual candidate vote.
This is intended to solidify the 59-year-old as the front-runner before the Democratic National Convention from August 19 to 22 in Chicago, making the gathering more ceremonial. The early nomination is due to deadlines in the states by which parties must confirm their candidates to appear on the ballot.
In the coming days, Harris also plans to announce her vice-presidential running mate. She plans to tour particularly contested states with this person in the following week.
The controversial remarks made by Trump during his Chicago event caused backlash, with critics labeling his comments about Harris' identity as "offensive" and "reprehensible." Despite being born in Oakland, a city in California, Harris' personal background and heritage have been a target of Trump's attacks.
