By AP News
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
Appearing before the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago, the Republican former president wrongly claimed that Kamala Harris, the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, had in the past only promoted her Indian heritage. Harris called the comments “the same old show” of divisiveness and disrespect. Read more.
Why this matters:
“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 while addressing the group’s annual convention. Throughout his political career, Trump has repeatedly questioned the backgrounds of opponents who are racial minorities.
Trump previously propagated false theories that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. “Birtherism,” as it became known, was just the start of Trump’s history of questioning the credentials and qualifications of Black politicians. During this year’s Republican primary, Trump also referred to his then-rival Nikki Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, as “Nimbra.”
The former president’s invitation to address the organization sparked an intense internal debate among NABJ that spilled online. Trump has sought to appear outside his traditional support strongholds and his campaign has touted his efforts to try to win over Black Americans, who have been Democrats’ most committed voting bloc.
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