Trump questions whether Harris is 'Black' at a conference of Black journalists 📌
CHICAGO, July 31- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumpquestioned whether his Democratic rival Kamala Harris is "Black" during a contentious appearance at the country's largest annual gathering of Black journalists on Wednesday.
"Is she Indian or is she Black?" Trump said of his 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 U.S. 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."
Far right and conservative accounts on social media have spread questioning Harris' racial identity.
Harris has long self-identified as both Black and South Asian American.
Since launching her White House campaign earlier this month, Harris has faced a barrage of sexist and racist attacks online, while leaders have urged lawmakers to refrain from personal attacks and focus on her policy positions.
The panel interview started on a tense note, when ABC News reporter Rachel Scott asked Trump to explain why Black voters should support him despite a history of racist comments.
In response, Trump called the question "horrible," "hostile" and a "disgrace" and described ABC as a "fake" network.
"I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln," he said.
Trump's first-ever appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists' annual convention in Chicago received a backlash from some members, prompting a co-chair of the convention to step down in protest.
Trump had made inroads with Black men in particular after President Joe Biden, his former Democratic opponent, struggled to mobilize Black voters, traditionally the most loyal Democratic voting bloc.
