Trump questions Kamala Harris's race at Black journalists convention, claims she 'turned Black'
At the NABJ convention in Chicago, Trump made racist claims about Kamala Harris's racial identity. He stated: "She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black." The claims are false: Harris attended Howard University, joined Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, served on the Congressional Black Caucus, and has always identified as both Black and South Asian. ABC's Rachel Scott opened by listing Trump's derogatory statements about Black journalists; Trump complained he'd "never been asked a question in such a horrible manner."
“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black.” — NABJ Convention, Chicago, July 31, 2024 Quote verified against source
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryTrump's attack on Harris's racial identity echoes his earlier birtherism campaign against Barack Obama. The claim that Harris 'turned Black' or misrepresented her heritage is easily disproven by decades of public record. Harris has consistently identified as both Black and South Asian, attending Howard University, joining AKA, and serving on the Congressional Black Caucus. Republican senators visibly squirmed when asked to respond to Trump's comments. The NABJ was criticized by some members for hosting Trump at all, given his history of attacks on Black journalists.