Former President Donald Trump attempted to water down his previous statements questioning whether Vice President Kamala Harris is Black during Tuesday’s debate—telling moderators he doesn’t “care” how she identifies, before falsely saying Harris previously claimed she wasn’t Black.
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and Democratic presidential ... [+]
Trump said “I don’t and I don’t care” when an ABC moderator asked why he thinks it’s appropriate to weigh in on Harris’ racial identity, citing a July interview when Trump said Harris, whose father is from Jamaica and whose mother is from South India “made a turn and . . . became a Black person.”
Trump said “I couldn’t care less, whatever she wants to be is OK with me,” then claimed he read that Harris “put out” that she was not Black, “then I read that she was Black.”
There is no evidence Harris has ever denied or downplayed her mixed race—she has repeatedly referenced her father as a Black man and herself as a Black throughout her political career, while also recognizing her mother’s Indian heritage.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
“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,” Harris said in response to Trump’s comments about her race.
Trump said during the July forum with the National Association of Black Journalists he didn’t know Harris was Black “until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now wants to be known as Black,” alleging “she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn.” Trump made the comments in response to a question about whether he agreed with Republicans who have suggested she is unqualified for her role and represented a “DEI hire,” referring to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, an inference widely viewed as racist.
Trump Claims Kamala Harris Only Recently Identified As Black — Here’s Why That’s Not True (Forbes)
Trump Questions Kamala Harris' Race: Claims She ‘Became A Black Person’ In Combative Interview (Forbes)