Trump Questions Kamala Harris’s Racial Identity: Controversial Remarks

Former US President Donald Trump has launched a controversial attack on Vice President Kamala Harris, questioning her racial identity and suggesting she had downplayed her Black heritage. Trump’s remarks have sparked condemnation from Harris and ignited a debate about her racial and cultural identity.

Trump’s Controversial Comments

Speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago, Trump claimed, “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.”

Trump continued, “So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black? But you know what, I respect either one, but she obviously doesn’t, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she went – she became a Black person.”

Harris’s Response and Background

Kamala Harris, who identifies as both Black and Asian, responded to Trump’s attack, calling it “the same old show of divisiveness and disrespect.” Harris, of Indian and Jamaican descent, has been outspoken about her dual heritage and is the first Black and Asian-American Vice President of the United States.

Since announcing her presidential campaign on July 21, Harris has faced various racist and sexist attacks, particularly from far-right sources questioning her racial identity. Despite Republican Party leaders urging a focus on policy rather than personal attacks, Trump has remained unapologetic.

Impact on Trump’s Campaign and Voter Sentiment

Trump’s remarks are part of his broader strategy to appeal to Black voters, a group that heavily supported Joe Biden in the 2020 election. According to Pew Research, Black voters backed Biden by a 92-8 percent margin over Trump.

Trump’s campaign has been buoyed by recent polls showing decreased support for Biden, who withdrew from the race due to age and mental fitness concerns after a lackluster debate performance against Trump. However, recent enthusiasm for Harris’s presidential run has provided a boost for her campaign.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday shows Harris narrowly leading Trump, with 43 percent to 42 percent, within the margin of error.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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