Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Republicans reeling at Trump's racial remarks on VP Harris

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Aug 2024 11:08
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

Donald Trump questions Kamala Harris' racial identity, stating"she happened to turn Black" after her constant promotion of her Indian heritage.

Listen
  • x
  • Former President Donald Trump answers questions during the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
    Former President Donald Trump answers questions during the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention in Chicago on July 31, 2024. (AFP)

Former US President Donald Trump is facing backlash from Republicans after he questioned his fellow presidential candidate Kamala Harris' racial identity on Wednesday at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago, evoking concern, shock, and outrage from his political party.

The Republican presidential nominee commented on Harris' Indian and Black biracial identity, stating, “I respect either one, but she obviously doesn’t, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went – she became a Black person."

Some significant political figures openly criticized Trump, while others decided to condemn his actions and comments anonymously. 

Republicans speak out against Trump

Former Maryland Governor and Republican Larry Hogan wrote on X that it is "unacceptable and abhorrent to attack Vice President Harris or anyone's racial identity," without directly mentioning Trump by name.

It's unacceptable and abhorrent to attack Vice President Harris or anyone’s racial identity. The American people deserve better.

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) July 31, 2024

"Childless cat women, DEI candidates, now, 'Is she black? Is she Indian?'" Sen. Lisa Murkowski said, referring to the recent comments made by the former president and the remarks of his nominated vice president J.D. Vance about the Democratic Party in 2021.

"To be focusing on anyone's race or gender when there are plenty of things to talk about on the issues that voters actually care about is frustrating for a lot of us," a House Republican stated. 

Related News

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

US uses tariffs to strongarm India on Russia ties

"It was awful," a second House Republican described the interview, raising concerns to Axios about Trump's ability to manage his impulses while facing the first woman, Black and Asian American vice president.

The overall interview

The interview at the convention was conducted by Rachel Scott, who opened the topic of Harris' racial identity upon asking the former president if he agreed with his fellow party members regarding the characterization of the vice president as a "DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) hire." This question ultimately sparked Trump's comments on Harris' Black and Indian identity.

It is "not a great idea for either of the parties to be playing racial identity politics," Republican Senator Josh Hawley said, criticizing his fellow party members.

Scott defended the Democratic candidate's Black identity by informing Trump she attended Brown University, a historically Black educational institution. 

Like Trump's comments about his former opponent, President Joe Biden, the Republican said he would challenge Harris to a cognitive test, proclaiming she "failed her law exam, so maybe she wouldn't pass a cognitive test." Harris passed the bar and was the attorney general of California.

"The entire exchange was embarrassing," said the second House Republican.

Haley slams Trump's remarks on Black voters as 'disgusting'

This is not the first time Trump has made racial comments during his presidential campaign. 

Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley strongly criticized Trump back in February for making what she deemed as "disgusting" remarks about Black Americans.

Trump has insinuated that Black voters favor him due to their ability to relate to his legal challenges.

"It's disgusting. But that's what happens when he goes off the teleprompter. That's the chaos that comes with Donald Trump," Haley stated at a polling station in her home state.

"That's the offensiveness that's going to happen every day between now and the general election, which is why I continue to say Donald Trump cannot win a general election," she stressed at the time.

  • United States
  • Republicans
  • Donald Trump
  • Kamala Harris
  • US elections 2024

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS