Former President Donald Trump's comments on Vice President Kamala Harris' heritage at the National Association of Black Journalists convention have sparked backlash from some Republican leaders.
Former President Donald Trump's recent remarks at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago have raised concerns among Republican leaders. Trump's comments, in which he questioned Harris' racial identity and made jokes about her heritage, have been widely criticized as insensitive and divisive.
In response to Trump's remarks, Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) urged the former president to focus on policy issues rather than engaging in racial politics. Thune argued that the Republican path to victory in the upcoming midterm elections lies in presenting a clear and substantive agenda.
Trump's Controversial Remarks at NABJ Convention Draw Criticism from Republicans
"The campaign is, needs to be, must be about the issues, and there's plenty to talk about," Thune said. "I just think that's where the focus needs to be. That's how we're going to win in November."
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) echoed Thune's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of avoiding identity politics when criticizing Harris.
Trump's Controversial Remarks at NABJ Convention Draw Criticism from Republicans
"This election ... is going to be about policies, not personalities," Johnson said. "This isn't personal with regard to Kamala Harris. Her ethnicity, her gender, has nothing to do with this whatsoever."
Trump's remarks have drawn bipartisan condemnation, with both Democratic and Republican leaders denouncing them. Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) characterized Trump's comments as "the politics of insult, of revenge and resentment and retribution."
Trump's Controversial Remarks at NABJ Convention Draw Criticism from Republicans
"I think at the end of the day the people of America are going to reject that," Warnock said. "They know what Kamala Harris represents. Here's a woman who is the daughter of a Jamaican man and an East-Asian immigrant mother. She went to Howard University. She's married to a Jewish man. She embodies in her life story the American covenant, E Pluribus Unum, out of many, one. Donald Trump doesn't understand that."
Amid the controversy over Trump's remarks, Republican leaders are urging the party to focus on substantive issues and avoid divisive rhetoric. Congressman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) emphasized the importance of presenting a clear economic message to voters.
Trump's Controversial Remarks at NABJ Convention Draw Criticism from Republicans
"We need to talk about the economic issues that are facing our country," Cole said. "We need to talk about the need to get people back to work. We need to talk about the need to make sure that our economy is growing."
Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) echoed Cole's sentiments, calling on Republicans to "stay on message" and avoid distractions.
"We've got to stay focused on the things that matter to the American people," Romney said. "We've got to talk about the economy. We've got to talk about immigration. We've got to talk about healthcare."
Trump's controversial remarks at the NABJ convention have sparked division within the Republican Party. While some Republicans have defended Trump's comments, others have urged the former president to focus on substantive issues and avoid inflammatory rhetoric. As the 2022 midterm elections approach, Republican leaders are grappling with the delicate balance between appealing to Trump's base and attracting a broader electorate.
