Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) disputed suggestions that former President Trump would attack Vice President Harris' racial identity during the upcoming debate, despite Trump's previous comments questioning her heritage.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) engaged in a heated exchange with CNN host Boris Sanchez over former President Trump's previous comments on Vice President Harris' identity. Ahead of the upcoming presidential debate, Sanchez pressed Donalds on whether Trump would accuse Harris of using her race for political gain, following Trump's remarks at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference in July.
Donalds dismissed the significance of Trump's comments, stating that they had been blown out of proportion by the media. He asserted that Trump would focus on issues that matter to Americans, such as the economy and immigration, rather than Harris' personal background.
Republican Donalds Clashes with CNN over Trump's Comments on Harris' Identity
"This is an issue nobody even really cares about," Donalds said. "He mentioned it once. He hasn‘t mentioned it again. What Donald Trump is focused on is the American people."
Sanchez countered that Trump had initially brought up the issue of Harris' race unprompted, prompting Donalds to argue that it was actually ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott who had raised the topic at the NABJ event.
Republican Donalds Clashes with CNN over Trump's Comments on Harris' Identity
"So Rachel Scott is the one that brought race and identity into that forum," Donalds asserted.
Sanchez maintained that it was a fair question for Trump to answer since he is a Republican and the inquiry came from another Republican. Donalds disagreed, claiming that the media had exaggerated the issue.
Republican Donalds Clashes with CNN over Trump's Comments on Harris' Identity
"There was one Republican who said it on Capitol Hill. Another Republican was asked about it," Donalds explained.
The CNN host accused Donalds of "gaslighting" the audience, arguing that it was clear that Trump had questioned Harris' racial identity. The exchange ended with Donalds accusing Sanchez of "trying to distort the facts."
Trump's comments at the NABJ conference in July sparked controversy, with Black journalists and the Harris campaign condemning his remarks as insensitive and racially charged. Trump had questioned Harris' heritage, stating that she had only recently begun identifying as Black.
The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, defended Harris, emphasizing that individuals have the right to identify as they choose. Critics of Trump's comments accused him of attempting to delegitimize Harris and undermine her accomplishments.
In the lead-up to the presidential debate, it remains unclear whether Trump will address Harris' identity. Donalds' assertion that Trump will focus on policy suggests that the issue may not be a central point of contention. However, the CNN interview highlighted the ongoing sensitivity surrounding Trump's previous comments and the potential for them to resurface during the debate.
