Former President Trump is facing intense criticism for questioning Vice President Harris’s Black identity, which could undermine his efforts to attract more Black voters in the upcoming election.
Trump provoked outrage by suggesting Harris, who is of biracial heritage, only recently began identifying as Black after years of presenting herself as Indian. Harris has consistently embraced both her Black and Indian roots throughout her political career.
Some Republicans have criticized Trump’s remarks, warning they could harm his chances in November
The backlash was immediate following Trump’s comments at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention, with experts predicting this could severely damage his standing among Black voters.
“I can’t see how this does anything but hurt Trump’s image with Black voters,” said Tabitha Bonilla, a Northwestern University professor. She noted the swift reactions on social media, particularly from Black journalists and critics who voiced their discontent under the trending hashtag #WhenITurnedBlack.
Social media was ablaze with criticism, and the Harris campaign condemned Trump’s remarks. Michael Tyler, communications director for Harris’s campaign, emphasized that Trump’s hostility is consistent with his past behavior and reflects the chaos and division of his campaign.
Although data on Black voter sentiment towards the new Trump-Harris matchup is limited, past polling from the Black Census Project shows Harris with a 71% favorability rating, compared to Trump’s 5%. Despite this, Trump had been pulling 10% to 15% of Black voter support when the race was between him and Biden—a notable figure for a Republican.
Some Republicans have criticized Trump’s remarks, warning they could harm his chances in November. Nevertheless, Trump has continued to make similar comments, sharing a photo of Harris in traditional Indian attire and sarcastically thanking her for embracing her Indian heritage.
This incident is not the first time Trump has used racially divisive rhetoric, recalling his earlier birtherism claims about former President Obama. Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright warned that Trump’s base might be energized by these remarks, despite their divisiveness.
Trump’s comments about Harris being a “DEI hire” further fueled the controversy, with some Republicans echoing the sentiment, while Democrats and Black leaders strongly rejected it. Since Biden’s exit from the race, Harris has united much of the Democratic Party, igniting enthusiasm among voters, especially Black Americans.
Harris’s campaign announced a serious fundraising achievement, and she has secured endorsements from influential groups, including the Congressional Black Caucus and Obama’s endorsement.
Leaders of organizations representing Black men, a key demographic in this election, have also started to back Harris’s candidacy. Joe Paul, a board member of Black Men Vote, highlighted the excitement surrounding Harris’s campaign, noting the grassroots support she has garnered.
Harris officially became the Democratic nominee, but the ongoing discourse about her racial identity suggests a broader conversation about race is necessary. Bonilla pointed out that racial identity is multifaceted and that oversimplified discussions often ignore the diversity within racial groups, causing harm and limiting people’s ability to fully embrace their identities.
