In a volatile and combative exchange with Black journalists in Chicago, former President Donald Trump ignited a firestorm by falsely asserting that Vice President Kamala Harris only recently "became a Black woman." This baseless claim, made during a question-and-answer session at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference, has drawn widespread condemnation and reignited discussions about racial politics in America.
"I didn’t know she was Black,” Trump said. “Out of sudden, she turned Black and now wants to be recognized as Black. So I’m confused, is she Indian or Black? ... I respect both, but it seems she doesn't, as she was Indian all along and then suddenly decided to become a Black person.”
Harris, whose father is Jamaican and mother is Indian, has been transparent about her mixed heritage. She is the first African-American and Asian-American as Vice President to serve the Americans. Trump's comments, questioning her ethnicity, appeared to be a response to whether he agreed with Republican claims that Harris was selected as a Vice-Presidential candidate solely because of her race.
Trump frequently interrupted and sparred with three Black women journalists at the conference, including ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, who questioned his use of inflammatory language and false claims about his rivals. Trump labeled her questions as "disgraceful," calling ABC a “fake news network” and deeming the questions “nasty.”
“I came here with good intentions. I have great admiration for the Black community and have done a lot for it,” Trump insisted. “I find this introductory remarks to be extremely rude. I don’t understand why you would ask such a question. I consider it a very nasty question.” He also claimed, “I am the best President for the Black community since Abraham Lincoln.”
When asked whether he agreed with GOP lawmakers’ derogatory claims that Harris is a “DEI” (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) hire, Trump’s repeated queries about the term’s definition revealed his unfamiliarity, prompting backlash from the audience and beyond.
The session, intended to last an hour, was cut short at 30 minutes as it devolved into chaos. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Trump’s remarks “repulsive” and “insulting.” Harris’s campaign echoed this sentiment, labeling Trump’s tirade as consistent with his lifelong hostility and divisive rhetoric.
Michael Tyler, communications director for Harris’s campaign, condemned the former president’s comments, stating, “Today’s tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trump’s MAGA rallies this entire campaign.”
Trump’s history of attacking journalists, particularly those of color, was a point of contention even before his NABJ appearance. His derogatory remarks and attempts to undermine the press have long drawn criticism, culminating in a notable boycott from some NABJ members who objected to his invitation.
In response to the controversy, NABJ president Ken Lemon defended the invitation, emphasizing the importance of holding candidates accountable and providing members with the opportunity to hear directly from them. He clarified that the invitation was not an endorsement but a commitment to the association's longstanding practices.
Vice President Kamala Harris, addressing the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in Houston, Texas, dismissed Trump’s comments as another instance of his divisive tactics. “The American people deserve better,” she stated, calling for an end to Trump’s “divisiveness and disrespect” on social media.
As the election season heats up, Trump's remarks have drawn comparisons to his previous attempts to question the legitimacy of Barack Obama's presidency, an episode often referred to as "Birtherism." This latest controversy underscores the ongoing challenges and tensions in America’s racial and political landscape.
By: Kpost
Information Source: Independent , Independent
Kpost is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.