US Vice President Kamala Harris has responded forcefully to former President Donald Trump’s recent remarks questioning her racial identity, stating that the American people “deserve better.” In a speech at a Houston fundraiser on Wednesday, Harris addressed Trump’s comments, which were made at a meeting of black journalists in Chicago. Trump had suggested that Harris had changed her racial identity over time, which he questioned.
Harris emphasized that the nation faces a pivotal choice between moving forward and regressing. She criticized Trump’s “Project 2025,” calling it a “900-page agenda of extremism” that would raise taxes on the middle class, cut taxes for billionaires, and dismantle the Department of Education. She underscored the contrast between her vision for the future and Trump’s agenda, asserting that the latter represents a step backward.
In her address, Harris highlighted her commitment to progress and unity, countering Trump’s divisive rhetoric. She reiterated the importance of electing a leader who embraces diversity as a strength, not a point of contention. Harris pointed out that Trump’s comments reflect a broader pattern of disrespect and divisiveness.
The White House quickly condemned Trump’s remarks as “insulting,” while Kamala Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, criticized Trump for being a “worse version of an already horrible person.” Emhoff stressed that the focus should remain on the stakes of the upcoming election rather than on Trump’s derogatory comments.
Harris, who has Indian and Jamaican heritage, is the first female, first Black, and first Asian American vice president. Following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race, Harris has emerged as the Democratic nominee, energizing the campaign and raising significant funds.