In a recent interview at a Black journalists’ panel, former President Donald Trump’s comments about Vice President Kamala Harris sparked significant criticism. Trump, the Republican nominee, questioned Harris’ racial identity, stating that he didn’t realize she was Black until “a number of years ago” and suggesting she has primarily highlighted her Indian heritage.
Trump remarked, “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?” This line of questioning was met with backlash, especially from political observers like Scott Jennings, a former advisor to President George W. Bush. On CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip, Jennings characterized the interview as detrimental to Trump’s campaign.
While he acknowledged the value of Trump’s presence at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference, Jennings stated, “He did c*** the bed today. The only question is whether he’s going to roll around in it or get up and change his sheets.”
Harris is expected to be the Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race. With a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, she has a diverse background and has been actively involved in historically Black institutions and organizations, including Howard University and the Congressional Black Caucus.
During the conference, tensions escalated as Trump accused ABC News interviewer Rachel Scott of providing a “very rude introduction” regarding his past critiques of Black individuals and journalists along with his associations with controversial figures.
When asked what Trump should do next, Jennings suggested he should “get up and change your sheets,” and advised him to focus on campaigning effectively, rather than getting sidetracked by controversies.
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In response to Trump’s comments, Harris criticized him on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “Let me just say: The American people deserve better than Donald Trump’s divisiveness and disrespect.”
This afternoon, Donald Trump spoke to the National Association of Black Journalists.
It was the same old show.
Let me just say: The American people deserve better than Donald Trump’s divisiveness and disrespect.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 1, 2024
Michael Tyler, the communications director for Harris’ campaign, condemned Trump’s approach, stating that his hostility is a repeated pattern from his time in office and reflects his ongoing campaign tactics. He emphasized that Trump’s past failures to unite America only serve to divide the nation further.