Former President Donald Trump faced immediate backlash after claiming he was unaware Vice President Kamala Harris was Black until recently.
Speaking at the National Association for Black Journalists (NABJ) convention on Wednesday, Trump suggested that Harris only began emphasizing her Black identity for political purposes despite her mixed heritage—her mother is Indian and her father is Black.
Trump’s comments, made to an audience of hundreds, included an assertion that Harris “became a Black person” only in recent years. He said, “I’ve known her a long time indirectly — not directly very much — and she was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until several years ago when she happened to turn Black.”
The White House quickly condemned Trump’s remarks. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who also served as Harris’ 2020 campaign chief of staff, called Trump’s statements “repulsive” and “insulting,” emphasizing that it is not for anyone to dictate another’s racial or ethnic identity.
Trump, 78, also criticized the Biden administration’s immigration policies, claiming that they resulted in a record number of illegal immigrants taking jobs away from Black Americans. His appearance at the NABJ convention was met with significant protest, including a march by left-wing demonstrators outside the Hilton where the event was held.
Karen Attiah, co-chair of the NABJ convention, stepped down in protest, arguing that Trump’s presence at the event was inappropriate and that he was being “platformed” by the organization. Attiah’s departure highlighted the division within the NABJ regarding Trump’s participation.
In response to criticism from the convention, Trump’s campaign defended his appearance, arguing that the panel aimed to address critical issues facing the Black community. They claimed that Trump’s “America First” policies achieved significant results for Black Americans in areas such as the economy, immigration, and law enforcement.
During the panel discussion, Trump addressed a range of topics, including recent criticism directed at Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) regarding his remarks about childless women. Trump defended Vance, noting that he had not judged people based on their parental status but avoided commenting on Vance’s readiness for office.
Vice President Harris, who did not attend the convention, is reportedly exploring future opportunities to engage with the NABJ. Her campaign responded to Trump’s appearance by attacking his record and pledging to highlight the achievements of the Biden-Harris administration.
Jasmine Harris, the Black Media Director for Harris’ campaign, criticized Trump’s presence at the NABJ event, accusing him of lying about his record and misleading the public on issues affecting Black communities. Harris emphasized that Trump’s history of undermining the media and his handling of significant problems such as unemployment and crime would be addressed by Democratic leaders.
