Donald Trump Callously Brushes Off Kamala Harris ‘Turning Black’ Scandal During Debate: ‘Whatever She Wants to Be is OK With Me’

In a heated exchange during their inaugural debate, Donald Trump deftly dodged controversy surrounding his remarks about Kamala Harris’s racial identity, insisting that he had no issue with how she identifies. When questioned about his previous claims that Harris had “turned Black,” Trump stated, “I couldn’t care less,” further emphasizing that whatever identity she chooses is perfectly fine by him.

The debate, which took place on the ABC stage, featured co-moderator David Muir pressing Trump on the appropriateness of his comments. Muir asked, “Why do you believe it’s appropriate to weigh in on the racial identity of your opponent?” Trump, unfazed, replied, “I don’t, and I don’t care. I don’t care what she is. You make a big deal out of something — I couldn’t care less. Whatever she wants to be is OK with me.”

This line of questioning referenced Trump’s earlier statements made during the National Association of Black Journalists convention in July. At that event, the former president claimed that he only learned of Harris’s Black identity a few years ago and insinuated she may have been misleading about her ethnicity. He commented, “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago, and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?”

Harris, who made history as the first Black woman and Asian American vice president, later responded to Trump’s remarks during the debate. She called it a tragedy that someone seeking the presidency would consistently attempt to use racial issues to divide the nation.

Their clash marked the first time the two politicians confronted each other directly, with Harris also recalling past controversies involving Trump, including investigations into his real estate practices in the 1970s, which were accused of racial discrimination. She pointed out that this was the same individual who infamously called for the execution of the Central Park Five, a group of teenagers wrongfully convicted in a high-profile rape case.

Trump shot back, labeling Harris’s comments as divisive and defending his stance on the Central Park Five case, suggesting that the boys had confessed to the crime. He accused Harris of reaching into the past to make a case against him, insisting that her claims were irrelevant to the current political landscape.

The fiery debate showcased not only the tension between the two candidates but also highlighted the contrasting approaches to issues of race and identity in American politics. Harris took jabs at Trump, joking about his supporters leaving his rallies due to boredom, while he countered with accusations against her stance on controversial topics. As their battle of words continued, it was clear that both candidates were willing to pull no punches in their quest for the presidency.