CHICAGO (AP) — Donald Trump made false claims about Kamala Harris during an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. Trump suggested that Harris had misled voters about her race, stating that she had only promoted her Indian heritage in the past.
Trump’s remark about Harris being Black “until a number of years ago” generated controversy as he questioned whether she is Indian or Black. Harris is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, attended a historically Black college, and has deep ties to the Black community through various organizations.
Throughout his political career, Trump has faced criticism for his remarks about racial minorities, including Harris. His comments at the convention were met with strong responses from Harris’ campaign, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and the audience at the event.
The interview also touched on Trump’s past criticisms of Black journalists and protestors, his claims about the 2021 Capitol riot, and his comparison to other protests. Trump’s appearance at the convention sparked internal debate within NABJ and raised questions about his outreach to Black voters.
Despite Trump’s attempts to appeal to Black Americans, his campaign has been criticized for playing on racial stereotypes. His history with NABJ and Black women journalists has also been contentious, with previous condemnations for his language towards them.
Harris briefly addressed Trump’s comments at a separate event, highlighting the divisiveness and disrespect in his remarks. The ongoing exchange between Trump and Harris reflects broader issues of race, politics, and representation in America.
Price reported from New York. Associated Press writers Aaron Morrison, Steve Peoples, Gary Fields, Will Weissert, Farnoush Amiri, Marc Levy, and Chris Megerian contributed to this report.
