Trump comments on Harris’ racial identity are ‘insulting’, says White House

WASHINGTON: The White House said on Wednesday (July 31) that comments from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump about Kamala Harris racial identity are “insulting”.

Trump questioned whether his Democratic rival Kamala Harris is “Black” during a contentious appearance at the country’s largest annual gathering of Black journalists on Wednesday (July 31).

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“Is she Indian or is she Black?” Trump said of his potential opponent in the presidential race, drawing a smattering of jeers from an audience of about 1,000 people. “She was Indian all the way, and all of a sudden she made a turn and became a Black person.”

Harris, whose mother was Indian and whose father is Black, is the first Black and the first Asian American US vice president.

“What he just said is repulsive,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in response to Trump’s remarks. “It’s insulting.”

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Far right and conservative accounts on social media have spread misinformation questioning Harris’ racial identity.

Harris has long self-identified as both Black and South Asian American.