In an interview with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Chicago, Trump made startling remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial identity.
Trump claimed he was unaware of Harris’s black heritage, asserting she had “turned Black” for political reasons.
During the combative exchange, Trump said, “She was always of Indian heritage and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black, and now she wants to be known as black.”
The former president’s comments sparked immediate backlash, with many criticizing his remarks as insensitive and divisive.
MAGA would swiftly defend Trump with an old clip that has since gone viral again where Harris confirmed she was, in fact, indian.
Harris, the first black, female and south asian-heritage vice president in U.S. history, as detailed by various legacy media platforms, has long embraced her multiracial background.
Trump further questioned Harris’s racial identity, stating, “So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she black? And you know what, I respect either one but she obviously doesn’t.”
He continued: “Because she was Indian all the way and all of a sudden she made a turn and she became a black person. I think somebody should look into that.”
The interview, which began contentiously, saw Trump clash with ABC’s Rachel Scott over her opening question; one the former president dubbed as “nasty.”
Scott asked about Trump’s past comments regarding black journalists and lawmakers, as well as his meeting with a white supremacist at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump dismissed the question as “rude” and “nasty,” accusing ABC of being a “fake news network.”
Throughout the interview, Trump repeatedly complained about technical issues, blaming faulty equipment and late starts on the organizers.
He also expressed frustration at the absence of his opponent, referring to the NABJ’s announcement that they were negotiating a separate Zoom interview with Harris for next month.
Trump maintained his stance despite the controversy, later posting on Truth Social: “Crazy Kamala is saying she’s Indian, not Black. This is a big deal. Stone cold phony. She uses everybody, including her racial identity!”
This post was accompanied by an old clip of Harris during a candid interview with Mindy Kaling who asked Harris to confirm that she is indian.
“Yes. Yes!” Harris responded proudly.
The White House swiftly responded to Trump’s remarks.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the comments “repulsive” and “insulting,” emphasizing that “no one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify.”
Daily Mail reported that Harris’s campaign communications director, Michael Tyler, released a statement condemning Trump’s behavior: “The hostility Donald Trump showed on stage today is the same hostility he has shown throughout his life, throughout his term in office, and throughout his campaign for president as he seeks to regain power.”
