Washington, DC: Former President of the United States, Donald Trump, has persisted in questioning Vice President Kamala Harris' racial identity for a second consecutive day on Thursday.
A day following his assertion that Vice President Harris had "simply" decided to embrace "Black identity," Trump shared a photograph on his social media platforms featuring Harris in traditional Indian attire alongside her family members. He expressed admiration for Harris' affection and appreciation for her Indian heritage.
During the dissemination of the photograph on Truth Social, Trump conveyed his gratitude to Harris, stating, "I extend my sincere appreciation to Kamala for the lovely photograph you shared many years ago! Your warmth, friendship, and deep-rooted love for Indian heritage are truly valued."
The matter of Kamala Harris' ethnic background has emerged as a significant point of contention in the current US presidential election campaign. This issue gained further attention following Trump's personal critique of Harris, alleging that her racial identity had undergone a transformation after years of identifying as of "Indian heritage," which he claimed she "turned black" a few years back, as reported by CNN. He further alleged that Harris had "suddenly" shifted her identity to one of being recognized as a woman of color.
Trump made these remarks during a gathering of journalists of color in Chicago, in response to a question regarding why individuals of color should consider voting for him, given his history of racially charged attacks on political opponents. He questioned Harris' heritage, stating, "She was always Indian, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't realize she was black until some years ago when she happened to turn black, and now she seeks to be identified as black. So, is she Indian or black?"
"I respect either one, but it seems she clearly doesn't, as she was Indian from the start, and then she seemingly made a sudden shift, becoming black," he remarked. "I think it's something that should be looked into," he added.
Kamala Harris' ancestry is diverse, with her mother being of Indian descent and her father of Jamaican heritage. Her family immigrated to the United States. Harris holds the distinction of being the first woman of color and the first Asian American vice president. Should Harris secure victory in the forthcoming elections, she would become the first woman president of the United States.
In response to the remarks made by her predecessor, Kamala Harris has issued a strong rebuttal to Donald Trump, criticizing his comments on her racial identity and asserting that the American populace is entitled to better leadership.
Harris has firmly stated that the nation is at a crossroads, confronted with the choice between two divergent paths. She has accused Trump and his campaign of aiming to regress the country.
Speaking at a fundraising event in Houston on Wednesday, hours after Trump made allegations that Harris, despite her years of "Indian heritage," had "turned black" a few years prior, Harris emphasized the critical nature of the current moment.
"In this pivotal juncture, we are faced with the decision between two starkly contrasting visions for our nation. One that is forward-looking, and the other that is nostalgic. It is in this room, where we are gathered, that we are advocating for the future," she declared to the attendees.
Harris further highlighted the efforts of those who seek to impede the nation's progress, referring to a specific agenda labeled "Project 2025," which she described as an extremist blueprint with a staggering 900 pages.
In a direct critique of Trump, the Vice President of the United States reiterated the nation's refusal to retreat. She recalled the tumultuous four years under his administration and emphasized the recent reminder of the country's division and disrespect during his speech at the National Association of Black Journalists' annual meeting.
"The American people have endured enough. We remember the challenges of the past four years vividly. Today, we are reminded once again of the divisiveness and disrespect. It is imperative to note that the American people deserve a leader who is truthful, who responds to facts with civility and understanding, and who recognizes that our differences are not a source of division but rather a cornerstone of our strength," Harris concluded.
