Former United States President Donald Trump sparked controversy on Wednesday by questioning whether his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, is “Indian or Black” during a contentious appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists’ annual convention.
Speaking at the event, Trump claimed to have “indirectly” known the US vice president for a long time, adding fuel to ongoing racial tensions as he campaigns as the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting that heritage. I didn’t realize she was Black until a few years ago when she suddenly identified as Black, and now she wants to be known as Black,” Trump said.
“So, I don’t know, is she Indian or Black?” Trump continued. “I respect either one, but it seems like she doesn’t.”
Harris, 59, has consistently identified as both Black and South Asian. Born in Oakland, California, to an Indian-born mother and a Jamaican-born father, she is the first Black and first Asian-American vice president in US history.
Since launching her White House campaign earlier this month following President Joe Biden’s decision to step out of the race, Kamala Harris has been subjected to a wave of sexist and racist attacks online.
Trump’s remarks on Wednesday quickly drew widespread condemnation. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the comments “repulsive” and “insulting,” stating, “No one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify.” In a social media post, Stacey Plaskett, who represents the US Virgin Islands in the US House of Representatives, described Trump’s address as, “Lies, Disrespectful, Lies, Ranting Lies, Race-baiting, Misinformation, Bigotry, Lies, Ignorance, Meandering Lies.”
A spokesperson for the Harris campaign issued a statement saying that the former president’s remarks were indicative of the “hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president.”
“Donald Trump has already proven he cannot unite America, so he attempts to divide us,” the statement read. “Today’s tirade is just a preview of the chaos and division that has characterized Trump’s MAGA rallies throughout his campaign.”
This exchange came just a day after a series of opinion polls revealed that Harris had closed the gap in the presidential race, erasing Trump’s lead both nationwide and in several key swing states as the November 5 vote approaches.
