Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, targeted his competitor, Vice President Kamala Harris, with personal attacks focusing on her heritage and past performance.
As his previously clear lead has become less distinct, the level of his criticism has intensified.
According to Yonhap News, Trump, during a debate hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), criticized Harris’s Black heritage.
Trump stated, “She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black.”
Harris was born to a Jamaican father, a former economics professor at Stanford University, and an Indian mother, a cancer research scientist and civil rights activist.
However, Trump remarked, “Now she wants to be known as Black,” adding, “I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?”
He insisted, “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. I think somebody should look into that, too.”
Trump also shifted the focus to President Joe Biden and Harris when questioned about his indictment related to the mishandling and illegal retention of classified documents.
He pointed out, “Biden was also investigated for the same charges but was not indicted because they said he is not capable of standing trial. Yet, he is still President.”
Trump subtly emphasized a narrative of a biased investigation by stating, “They said he has no memory at all,” while targeting Biden.
When asked if he would step down due to health issues, Trump responded that he would, shifting the focus back to Harris.
He stated that he believes anyone running for President should take a cognitive test. He mentioned that he had taken it twice, passed with flying colors, and would be willing to retake it. He also suggested that Harris take a cognitive test.
Trump sarcastically added that Harris had failed her bar exam and did not pass it, implying that she might not pass a cognitive test either.
He continued his personal attacks, saying, “For the record, She did not pass her bar exam.”
Additionally, Trump claimed that the Democrats allow abortions even at nine months of pregnancy.
He also asserted that he would grant amnesty to those convicted in the January 6 Capitol riot if they were innocent.
On his first day in office, he reiterated his intent to “close the border,” claiming that criminals and mentally ill individuals from South America illegally cross into the U.S.
The event saw disruptions even before it started, with some association journalists strongly opposing Trump’s invitation.
As soon as Trump entered the venue, he unleashed a tirade against Rachel Scott, an ABC News reporter who pressed him with tough questions.
When a reporter mentioned Trump dining with white supremacists at his Mar-a-Lago residence, he retorted, “I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, a first question.”
He then criticized, “Are you with ABC? Because I think they’re a fake news network.”
Trump expressed, “I think it’s disgraceful that I came here in good spirit,” referring to the “very rude introduction.”
During the discussion, he claimed, “She was very rude,” calling the question “extremely rude and not even a question. She was reading a statement.”
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