Former President Donald Trump doubled down on false claims he made about Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity, including that she “happened to turn Black.”
Asked by moderators about previous comments, Trump said Tuesday he “couldn’t care less” about Kamala Harris’ racial identity.
“I don’t care what she is. I don’t care,” Trump said Tuesday. “Whatever she wants to be is okay with me.”
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump attend a presidential debate in Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 2024.
Michael Le Brecht II/ABC NEWS
Trump previously falsely asserted that Harris had not identified as both Black and Indian during an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago in August.
“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 during the NABJ interview.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia.
Alex Brandon/AP
He added that “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 has always identified as both Indian and Black and has long embraced both cultures.
After Trump doubled down on his comments, Harris went on the attack saying he has made comments about race over his career to divide the country.
“Honestly, I think it’s a tragedy that we have someone who wants to be president who has consistently over the course of his career attempted to use race to divide the American people,” she said. “I think the American people want better than that, want better than this.”
President Donald Trump recently reaffirmed false statements regarding Senator Kamala Harris’ racial identity, reigniting a debate over the California senator’s heritage. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian descent, is not Black and has questioned her eligibility to serve as vice president.
These baseless claims stem from a conspiracy theory that has been circulating online, suggesting that Harris is not eligible to be vice president because her parents were not American citizens at the time of her birth. However, legal experts have debunked this theory, citing the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States.
Harris was born in Oakland, California, making her a natural-born citizen and eligible to serve as vice president. Despite this, Trump has continued to spread misinformation about her background, further fueling racial tensions in an already polarized political climate.
This latest attack on Harris is just one example of Trump’s history of making racially charged comments and perpetuating falsehoods. From questioning former President Barack Obama’s citizenship to referring to Mexican immigrants as “rapists,” Trump has a long track record of using race as a political weapon.
Critics have condemned Trump’s remarks about Harris as racist and divisive, arguing that they are a deliberate attempt to undermine her candidacy and appeal to his base of supporters. By questioning Harris’ racial identity and eligibility for office, Trump is not only spreading misinformation but also perpetuating harmful stereotypes and stoking racial animosity.
As the presidential election approaches, it is crucial for voters to critically evaluate the information they receive and hold political leaders accountable for their words and actions. By challenging false statements and standing up against racism and discrimination, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
