During a contentious interview with Black journalists, U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump questioned Kamala Harris’s racial identity, asking ‘is she Indian or Black?’ Trump suggested Harris initially played up her Indian heritage before ‘she made a turn and became a Black person.’

Washington

Donald Trump is preparing to take office after defeating Kamala Harris in the U.S. Presidential election.

U.S. Presidential Elect

Donald Trump, the U.S. Republican presidential candidate, recently raised questions about Kamala Harris's racial identity during an interview with Black journalists. Trump suggested that Harris, who has a Jamaican-born father and an Indian-born mother, initially emphasized her Indian heritage before later identifying as Black. 

The interview, which took place at a convention for Black journalists, saw Trump making contentious remarks and comparing himself to Abraham Lincoln. Trump claimed he has been the best president for the Black population since Lincoln. He also labeled questions from Black women reporters as rude and nasty.

Trump's comments about Harris's racial identity were met with criticism. A witness in the room described Trump's challenge to Harris's mixed-race heritage as ignorant. The incident drew parallels to Trump's previous unfounded claims questioning Barack Obama's birthplace. The White House press secretary condemned Trump's statements about Harris as repulsive and insulting, stating that no one has the right to dictate another person's racial identity.

The U.S. National Association of Black Journalists clarified that inviting Trump for the interview was not an endorsement. Kamala Harris was also invited to the event but did not attend. She later spoke in Texas, emphasizing that differences should be seen as a source of strength.



Trump questions Harris’s race to Black journalists

Looking to bolster support among black voters Donald Trump showed up at a convention for black journalists comparing himself, no less, to the U.S. president who helped abolish slavery. I have been the best president for the black population since Abraham Lincoln. Grilled by black women reporters Trump called one journalist rude and her questions nasty. For his rival Kamala Harris, Trump launched this unfounded personal attack. 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. The daughter of a Jamaican-born father and a mother who'd come from India Harris attended a historically black university and joined an African-American sorority. Challenging her mixed-race heritage only shows ignorance says this Canadian who was in the room. To think that that might actually help you I think is misguided and it tells me that you don't know very many black people. Trump's accusation coming years after he infamously and baselessly questioned the birthplace of Barack Obama. This time the White House press secretary called Trump's claims about Harris repulsive and insulting. No one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify. That is no one's right. Inviting Trump for an on-stage interview had already proved contentious with the U.S. National Association of Black Journalists insisting it wasn't meant as an endorsement. A lot of the journalists in this room are black. His likely opponent Harris was invited but didn't come. Speaking later in Texas. Differences do not divide us. They are an essential source of our strength. Trump's persona on display as ever hoping it will appeal to black Americans. Thomas Daigle, CBC News, Toronto.

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