USA: During a convention for black journalists, Donald Trump questioned Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity, claiming she had only recently emphasized her Black heritage. He asked, “Is she Indian? Or is she black?” Harris responded by calling Trump’s remarks divisive and disrespectful, asserting that America’s diversity is a strength. Harris, who is both Black and Asian-American, attended Howard University and joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Trump’s comments led to a heated exchange with ABC News’ Rachel Scott. Critics, including White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Representative Ritchie Torres, condemned Trump’s statements. This incident is part of a broader pattern of racially charged attacks by Trump against his opponents.

Key Points …

Donald Trump questioned Kamala Harris’ racial identity at a convention for black journalists.
Trump falsely claimed that Harris had only recently emphasized her Black heritage, saying, “She became a black person.”
At the National Association of Black Journalists convention, Trump said, “I didn’t know she was black until several years ago… So I don’t know – Is she Indian? Or is she black?”
Kamala Harris responded to Trump’s remarks, calling them divisive and disrespectful, and stating that America’s diversity is a strength.
Harris is the first Black and Asian-American vice president, with Indian and Jamaican-born parents, attended Howard University, and joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
She became a member of the Congressional Black Caucus after entering the Senate in 2017.
Trump’s comments led to a heated exchange with ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, one of the event’s moderators.
Trump said he respected either of Harris’ racial identities but claimed she “turned” from Indian to Black.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserted that no one has the right to dictate someone else’s identity.
Representative Ritchie Torres criticized Trump, calling him a “relic of a racist past.”
Trump has a history of racially charged attacks, including false claims about Barack Obama’s birthplace.
He also falsely claimed that Nikki Haley couldn’t be president because her parents were not U.S. citizens at her birth.
Harris has faced various attacks since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee, with some Republicans arguing she was chosen due to her race.
Tim Burchett, a Republican congressman, called her a “DEI vice-president,” referencing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Rachel Scott asked Trump if he believed Harris was a “DEI hire,” to which he responded, “I really don’t know, could be.”
Harris described her upbringing as being engaged with both her Indian and Black heritage.