Washington, DC [US], August 1: Vice President Kamala Harris responded forcefully to former President Donald Trump’s remarks about her racial identity, asserting that the American people “deserve better.”
At a Houston fundraiser on Wednesday, Harris countered Trump’s claim that she “turned black” from “Indian heritage” by emphasizing that the country faces a choice between two contrasting visions. She accused Trump and his campaign of seeking to take the country “backward.”
Harris addressed the donors, saying, “Today, we face a choice between two very different paths for our nation: one focused on the future and one on the past. We are fighting for the future.” She criticized Trump’s agenda, referring to it as “Project 2025,” which she claimed includes tax hikes on the middle class, tax cuts for billionaires, and plans to dismantle the Department of Education.
Further condemning Trump, Harris said, “We are not going back. We remember those four years and are reminded again today. Donald Trump’s recent remarks at the National Association of Black Journalists were divisive and disrespectful. The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth, responds with civility, and understands that our differences are a strength, not a division.”
Trump made his controversial remarks during a Chicago event with black journalists, questioning Harris’ racial identity. He stated, “She was always of Indian heritage, and then she turned black. Now she wants to be known as black. So, is she Indian or black?” CNN reported.
Harris, whose mother is Indian and father is Jamaican, emphasized that her campaign is driven by a commitment to progress. She highlighted the importance of the upcoming election, stating, “We are the underdogs in this race, with under 100 days until the November election. We are not fighting against something; we are fighting for something. We know what is at stake.”
Following Trump’s remarks, the White House condemned them as “insulting,” affirming that only Harris can speak for herself. Doug Emhoff, Harris’ husband and Second Gentleman, also condemned Trump, describing him as “a worse version of an already horrible person” and suggesting that the focus should remain on the stakes of the election.
The recent developments follow President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and his nomination of Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate. Her candidacy has reinvigorated the Democratic campaign, raising over USD 200 million in her first week and consolidating support among Democrats.