Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, erroneously suggested at the largest annual gathering of Black journalists in the U.S. on Wednesday that his Democratic rival Kamala Harris once downplayed her Black identity.
"She has always emphasized her Indian heritage, only promoting her Indian identity. I didn't know she was Black until a few years ago when she suddenly became Black. Now she wants to be recognized as Black," Trump said, provoking boos from an audience of about 1,000 people.
"So I don't know, is she Indian or Black?" Trump continued. "But you know, I respect any identity, yet it seems she doesn't respect herself, as she was always Indian and suddenly she became Black."
Harris is of mixed Indian and Jamaican descent and has always identified herself as both Black and Asian. She is the first Black and Asian American to serve as Vice President.
"What he just said is disgusting," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in response to Trump's remarks. "It's an insult."
Since launching her White House campaign earlier this month, Harris has faced online gender and racial attacks, with some far-right accounts questioning her racial identity. Republican leaders have urged party members to avoid personal attacks and focus on her policy positions.
