'Is She Indian or Black?' Donald Trump Questions Kamala Harris's Racial Identity; She Responds

Washington: Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump on Wednesday raised questions over Vice President and his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris' racial identity and falsely claimed that she had been downplaying her Black heritage while highlighting her Indian heritage.

Trump's statement came during his appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago.

“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. So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” news agency AP quoted Trump as saying.

Trump's appearance at the organization's annual gathering immediately became heated.

“I think it’s disgraceful that I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country, I’ve done so much for Black population of this country," Trump said.

Kamala Hits Back

Soon after Trump's comments, Kamala Harris responded sharply, saying “the American people deserve better.” Her statements came when she was delivering remarks at Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.’s 60th International Biennial Boule in Houston.

“It was the same old show,” news agency AP quoted her as saying, adding, “The divisiveness and the disrespect.”

She further said, “And let me just say, the American people deserve better. the American people deserve better.”

“Our differences do not divide us, they are an essential source of our strength,” Harris added. "The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth, a leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts,” she further said.

The former US president’s invitation to address the organization triggered an intense internal debate among NABJ that spilled online. Organizations for journalists of color typically invite presidential candidates to speak at their summer gatherings in election years.