In a recent appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago, former President Donald Trump made controversial remarks questioning Vice President Kamala Harris' racial identity. His comments have sparked significant backlash from various quarters, including Harris herself, who described his remarks as "the same old show" of divisiveness and disrespect.

Trump, during his interview, falsely claimed that Harris had only recently emphasized her Black heritage. "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," he said. The interview, which was supposed to last an hour, was cut short after 34 minutes.

Harris, speaking at the Sigma Gamma Rho's 60th International Biennial Boulé in Houston, Texas, addressed Trump's comments briefly but firmly. "Donald Trump spoke at the annual meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists," she said, pausing for boos from the crowd. "And it was the same old show: the divisiveness and the disrespect. And let me just say, the American people deserve better. 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. We deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us - they are an essential source of our strength."

Harris's campaign released a statement echoing her sentiments: "The Donald Trump America saw at NABJ is the one Black voters have known for years." Her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, also condemned Trump's remarks, describing them as reflecting "a worse version of an already horrible person."

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre did not hold back when asked about Trump's comments. "As a person of color, as a Black woman who is in this position, what he just said, what you just read out to me is repulsive. It's insulting," she said. Jean-Pierre emphasized that only Harris is qualified to define her identity.

In addition to his comments on Harris' racial identity, Trump attacked her credentials and career during his speech. He questioned her success in passing the bar exam and criticized her early career. "I'm just giving you the facts. She didn't pass her bar exam and she didn't think she would pass it and she didn't think she was going to ever pass it and I don't know what happened. Maybe she passed it," he said. Harris graduated from the University of California Hastings College of Law in 1989, passing the bar on her second attempt.

The NABJ event saw a contentious exchange between Trump and ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, who pressed him on his history of making racially charged statements. Trump accused Scott of giving a "very rude introduction" and defended his record, claiming, "I love the Black population of this country, I've done so much for the Black population of this country."

Trump's remarks have reignited discussions about his long history of racially insensitive comments and actions. He has previously questioned the legitimacy of former President Barack Obama's birthplace, referred to countries with predominantly Black populations as "shithole countries," and had dinner with a known white supremacist at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

The fallout from Trump's comments comes at a critical time as the 2024 presidential race heats up. Harris, who is the presumptive Democratic nominee, continues to emphasize unity and inclusivity in her campaign. "We deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us - they are an essential source of our strength," she reiterated at the Houston event.

In contrast, Trump has maintained his combative stance. Following the NABJ convention, he took to his social media platform to criticize the event, saying, "The questions were rude and nasty, often in the form of a statement, but we CRUSHED IT!"