Trump Sparks Controversy at Black Journalists Conference

Donald Trump stirred up quite a conversation on Wednesday at a gathering of Black journalists. During a heated Q&A session, he made some surprising comments about the race of Vice President Kamala Harris, who has Indian American and Black heritage.

Trump claimed he hadn’t realized that Harris was Black until a few years ago, saying, ‘I did not know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black.’ His remarks suggested that she had only recently embraced her Black identity for political reasons.

‘I respect either one,’ he added, ‘but she obviously doesn’t, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and … she became Black.’ This statement raised eyebrows, especially since Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black college.

When asked about a growing trend where some Republicans label Harris as a ‘DEI hire,’ a term for diversity-focused employment practices, Trump admitted he was ‘not sure’ about that claim. Harris’ campaign quickly responded to his comments, labeling his attendance at the event as an ‘absolute disaster.’

In an event in Houston, Harris responded to the controversy, describing Trump’s comments as ‘the same old show — the divisiveness and the disrespect.’ She emphasized that the American people deserve better than such discourse.

The backlash didn’t stop there. The comments made by Trump were described as repulsive by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who also highlighted the importance of personal identity, saying, ‘No one has any right to tell someone who they are.’

Amidst all the tension, the conference also dealt with some issues from Trump’s history, where he previously made offensive remarks towards Black individuals. This led to some members of the National Association of Black Journalists voicing their opposition to Trump’s invitation to the event.

Despite the criticism, a few attendees like Amya Henry expressed interest in hearing Trump’s remarks firsthand. She mentioned, ‘It was just an interesting time.’ Trump, however, didn’t shy away from the heat, often sparring with moderator Rachel Scott and calling her questions ‘nasty.’

During the event, Trump defended his record with Black voters, claiming to have been ‘the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln.’ However, when pressed further about historical voting rights, he redirected the conversation without a clear answer.

As the event progressed, Trump was also asked about his running mate, JD Vance, who has recently faced scrutiny over past comments. Trump suggested that the moderators should ask Vance about it directly, reflecting a somewhat casual stance on Vance’s controversies.

While Trump’s campaign aims to improve their standing with Black voters, it’s clear that his comments and actions continue to provoke strong reactions and discussions among various communities.