In a shocking exchange at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago, former President Donald Trump made controversial remarks questioning Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity. Trump’s statements, made on Wednesday, have ignited a fierce backlash and raised questions about his understanding of racial identity.

Trump’s remarks included a false claim that Harris only recently identified as Black. He stated, “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.” This comment not only misrepresents Harris’ longstanding identification but also reflects a troubling misunderstanding of racial identity. Trump further questioned whether Harris was “Indian or black,” creating additional controversy and confusion.

In response, Kamala Harris denounced Trump’s comments as divisive and disrespectful. She addressed the issue during a meeting with the historically Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho in Houston, asserting, “The American people deserve better. We deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us—they are an essential source of our strength.”

Kamala Harris, the first Black and Asian-American Vice President of the United States, has a heritage that includes both Indian and Jamaican roots. She has been open about her background, having attended Howard University and being an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Additionally, she became a member of the Congressional Black Caucus after her election to the Senate in 2017.

Trump’s remarks have also stirred controversy regarding his long history of racially charged statements. Previously, he falsely accused Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president, of not being born in the United States and made similar baseless claims about Nikki Haley’s eligibility for presidency based on her parents’ citizenship status.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to Trump’s comments, stating that “no one has any right to tell someone who they are, how they identify. That is no one’s right.” Representative Ritchie Torres of New York condemned Trump, labeling him as a “relic of a racist past.”

Further fueling the debate, Trump questioned whether Harris was a “DEI hire,” a term referring to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and seemed uncertain about Harris’ credentials. He remarked on her past legal challenges, inaccurately claiming that she failed her bar exam and expressing doubt about her eventual success. Kamala Harris graduated from the University of California Hastings College of Law in 1989, having initially failed her first bar exam attempt but passing on her second try—a common scenario in the legal field.

The event also saw a tense interaction between Trump and ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, who challenged him on his past criticisms of Black individuals. Trump accused Scott of giving a “very rude introduction” and criticized her for questions he deemed unfair. His response on social media later was dismissive, claiming the questions were “rude and nasty,” yet boasting that they “crushed it.”

The episode underscores the persistent and troubling nature of racial discourse in American politics, with Trump’s comments drawing attention to the ongoing challenges faced by public figures like Kamala Harris in navigating their identities amid polarized political climates.

  Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Kamala Harris race controversy, National Association of Black Journalists, Sigma Gamma Rho