Donald Trump is the subject of even more controversy, as he just falsely questioned Kamala Harris’ race during an appearance in front of the National Association of Black Journalists on Wednesday (July 31) in Chicago, Ill.
The 78-year-old former President of the United States claimed that the Vice President, who is the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, had only promoted her Indian heritage in the past.
“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?” Trump said, via AP.
Keep reading to find out more…
Kamala Harris notably attended Howard University, one of the most well-known and prestigious historically Black colleges and universities. She also pledged the historically Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, and was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus in the Senate, supporting her colleagues’ legislation aimed at strengthening voting rights and reform policing, the news outlet notes.
Trump previously engaged in false theories about race (also dubbed “Birtherism”) with President Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president, by suggesting Obama was not born in the United States. (Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. )
Trump’s appearance at the organization’s annual gathering reportedly got heated immediately after accusing Rachel Scott of ABC News of giving him a “very rude introduction” with a tough first question about his past criticism of Black people and Black journalists, his attack on Black prosecutors and the dinner he had with a white supremacist at his Florida club.
“I think it’s disgraceful that I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country, I’ve done so much for the Black population of this country,” Trump said.
He then attacked ABC News, which he has been arguing should not host the next presidential debate, despite previously agreeing to do so.
He also falsely claimed that immigrants in the country illegally are “taking Black jobs.” When asked by Rachel Scott a “Black job” is, Trump responded by saying was “any job,” resulting in groans from the room, via AP.
At one point he said, “I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln.”
One day before, he went viral after confusingly rejecting the idea of having pronouns.
Trump tells Black journalists that Kamala Harris "is of Indian heritage … is she Indian or is she Black? … she became a Black person." Note the audience laughing at him. pic.twitter.com/PAhmgr1yBS
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2024