Trump attacks Kamala Harris’ racial identity at Black journalism convention
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Former President Donald Trump made inflammatory remarks about Vice President Harris at the National Association of Black Journalists convention Wednesday, questioning her biracial background.
Harris is Black and Indian American. When asked if he agreed with comments from some Republicans who claim Harris has political power because of “diversity, equity and inclusion,” Trump falsely suggested Harris has changed how she discussed her racial identity.
“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage,” Trump said. “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. So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?"
Harris is a member of a historically Black sorority, attended Howard University, one of the most prominent historically Black colleges in the country, and was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus when she was a U.S. senator from California.
Harris briefly responded to Trump’s remarks as she gave a Wednesday night speech to a conference of Sigma Gamma Rho, a historically Black sorority, in Houston.
“It was the same old show — the divisiveness and the disrespect. And let me just say, the American people deserve better,” Harris said.
She said Trump’s comments to the NABJ were “yet another reminder” of what his presidency was like.
Trump, who has in the past promoted racist "birther" conspiracy theories targeting Harris and former President Barack Obama, sparred with one of the three moderators in particular, ABC News’ Rachel Scott.
Scott opened up the conversation by listing derogatory statements Trump has made about Black