CHICAGO — During a contentious appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists Annual Convention on Wednesday, Republican 2024 presidential nominee Donald Trump made controversial comments about Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial identity.
‘I didn’t know she was Black until a few years ago when she suddenly identified as Black,’ Trump said, referring to Harris, who is expected to face him as the Democratic presidential nominee. ‘Is she Indian or is she Black? She was Indian before, and then suddenly she switched and became Black.’"
Trump participated in a 30-minute Q&A session at the National Association of Black Journalists Annual Convention, where he addressed several key issues affecting the Black community, including the recent fatal shooting of Sonya Massey by an Illinois sheriff’s deputy, abortion access, and his choice of Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate.
The former president’s appearance at the NABJ drew significant backlash from attendees, who voiced concerns over his comments about the Black community and his attacks on the media. Trump's remarks came at a pivotal moment in his 2024 campaign, as Democrats grow increasingly optimistic about their chances of retaining the White House with Harris as the Democratic nominee, while Trump seeks to appeal to key constituencies, including Black voters. Throughout the session, Trump faced boos, groans, and heckling from the audience
Harris addressed Trump’s NABJ interview during her remarks in Houston on Wednesday night. Speaking to members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority at its 60th Biennial Boule, Harris criticized Trump’s comments, describing them as 'the same old show — the divisiveness and the disrespect.'
The American people deserve better,' Harris said. 'We need a leader who tells the truth, who does not respond with hostility and anger when faced with facts. We deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us.'
"White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who was holding a briefing during Trump’s Q&A, condemned his comments about Harris as 'repulsive.'
Wow,' Jean-Pierre reacted upon hearing Trump’s remarks about Harris’s racial identity. 'What you just read to me is repulsive and insulting. No one has the right to dictate who someone is or how they identify.'"
Trump labeled Harris as a 'DEI' candidate, using the term 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' — a common conservative talking point used to undermine people of color or women who achieve positions of power and influence.
Trump accused Harris of being a 'DEI' candidate, a term many conservatives use to criticize people of color or women who rise to positions of power and influence under the banner of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Harris, who is both Black and of South Asian descent, graduated from Howard University, a historically Black college. She is the first female vice president in U.S. history and the first Black woman to hold the office.
Shortly after the panel ended, Trump reiterated his attack on Harris's racial identity on Truth Social, sharing a video of Harris cooking with actress Mindy Kaling, who is of South Asian descent. In the video, Harris and Kaling discuss their Indian heritage, with Harris remarking that Kaling resembles 'the entire one half of my family.'
Michael Tyler, Harris for President Communications Director, condemned Trump's comments as hostile and urged him to agree to a debate with Harris.
'Trump has launched personal attacks and insults against Black journalists just as he did throughout his presidency, all while failing Black families and leaving the country in disarray,' Tyler said in a statement. 'Donald Trump has already shown he cannot unite America; instead, he seeks to divide us.
Trump spoke about the shooting of Sonya Massey without mentioning her name, prompting gasps from the audience when he admitted he was not familiar with the specifics of the case, which has caused national outrage.
‘I don’t know the exact case, but I saw something,’ Trump said in response to a question about the incident. ‘It didn’t look good to me. It didn’t look good to me.’ He then asked, ‘You’re talking about the water, right?’—referring to the fact that Massey was shot by police while holding boiling water
Trump has previously suggested that police should receive immunity from prosecution if he wins the 2024 presidential race. When Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba asked whether Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean P. Grayson, who is charged with the murder of Sonya Massey, would be granted such immunity, Trump avoided the question by instead discussing gun violence in Chicago.
When asked again by Goba, Trump stated that he would support someone who ‘made an innocent mistake.’
‘If I or a group of people felt that someone was being unfairly prosecuted because they did a good job, maybe made a mistake, or made an innocent mistake… I would want to help that person,’ Trump said.
The former president also reiterated his claims that immigrants are taking jobs from Black Americans.
‘I will tell you that millions and millions of people coming from the border are taking Black jobs,’ Trump said, prompting gasps from the audience.
ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott then asked, ‘What exactly is a "Black job," sir?’
‘A Black job is anybody that has a job,’ Trump responded, eliciting laughter from the audience, before continuing to use racially charged rhetoric against migrants coming to the United States
Throughout the panel, Trump repeatedly attacked the press, targeting Scott in particular for the questions she asked.
When Scott was the first to question him, asking why Black voters should support him given his past criticisms of the Black community, Trump responded sharply.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner,’ Trump said to Scott. ‘Don’t even say hello or ask how I am. Are you with ABC? Because I think they’re a fake news network.’
Scott, FOX News anchor Harris Faulkner, and Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba led the Q&A session with Trump. PolitiFact also conducted real-time fact-checking of Trump’s statements during the NABJ event."
Hundreds of people filled a ballroom at the Hilton Chicago, which can accommodate up to 1,100 seated guests, according to a hotel employee. Dozens of reporters lined up outside the hotel to gain access to the event with the former president.
On Wednesday, NABJ announced that they are in discussions with the Harris campaign to schedule a Q&A session with her sometime in September
Harris is scheduled to be in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday to deliver remarks at a political event. On Thursday, she will deliver a eulogy for the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in Houston.
Throughout the presidential campaign, Trump has sought to appeal to Black voters—a crucial demographic that largely supports the Democratic Party. Despite these efforts, he remains unpopular among many Black voters.
President Joe Biden, who exited the 2024 presidential race earlier this month, experienced a decline in enthusiasm from Black voters. However, Harris, who is poised to become the Democratic nominee, has reinvigorated Democratic supporters, including Black voters, since entering the race.
Before his appearance, Trump criticized Harris on Truth Social for not speaking at the convention. In response to Trump’s remarks, the Harris campaign highlighted his record and his treatment of the press.
NABJ President Ken Lemon stated on Wednesday that the organization had been in discussions with both the Democratic and Republican parties since January, when Biden was still a candidate. Biden had agreed to speak when he was still in the race
At the White House, Jean-Pierre explained on Tuesday that Biden would not be speaking at the NABJ convention because he is 'no longer a candidate.'
She underscored the administration's commitment to directly engaging with Black Americans and all Americans. 'We have done that and will continue to do so,' Jean-Pierre said. 'We take this responsibility very seriously