WATCH: During Visit To Black Journalism Conference, Trump Says Kamala Harris 'Happened To Turn Black'

On Wednesday, Republican nominee Donald Trump joined the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for a Q&A in Chicago. During the event, Trump explained to the three journalists interviewing him that he didn't know that Vice President Kamala Harris "was black" until she began to run for office. He explained that she used to identify as Indian-American until it became more advantageous to promote her African-American roots. The Q&A was hosted by ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, Fox News's Harris Faulkner, and Semafor reporter Kadia Goba.

"Some of your own supporters, including Republicans on Capitol Hill, have labeled Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the first black and Asian-American woman to be on a major party ticket, as a DEI hire. Is that acceptable language to you, and will you tell those Republicans and those supporters to stop it?" Scott asked. After Trump repeatedly asked for a definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Trump stated that Harris has been fluid with how she identifies herself.

"She was always of Indian heritage," Trump said. "I didn't know she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black. ... So is she Indian, or is she black? But you know, I respect either one, but she obviously doesn't. She was Indian all the way, and all of a sudden, she made a turn, and she was a black person. I think somebody should look into that." Following his remarks, the Harris campaign criticized Trump, and the mainstream media rushed to the presumptive Democrat nominee's defense.

According to CNN senior reporter Daniel Dale, Kamala Harris, who's father is of Jamaican descent, has promoted her black heritage for decades, including before she was in political office. Dale cited multiple instances where Harris promoted her African-American roots, including a Politico report from 1989, when Harris was a law student, and when she was district attorney in San Francisco.

While some have attempted to say that Trump's comments were not true, others have pointed to various media reports or even family photos indicating Kamala Harris identified as an Indian-American rather than an African American. In a 2019 video, Harris said she was Indian-American and didn't mention her Jamaican heritage in a video with actress Mindy Kaling.

While Trump could hold his own in a hostile environment, as shown with the first question asked by ABC News reporter Rachel Scott, the Trump campaign had to end the Q&A early after only 35 minutes. The early cutoff was likely because the event began half an hour late, prompting Trump to post to Truth Social, "I've been waiting for a half hour. The speaker equipment at the NABJ is not working properly. Don't blame me for being late!"

WATCH:

OMG...President Trump just called out Kamala Harris for suddenly "turning black."

"She was always of Indian heritage ... I didn't know she was black, until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn black. ... So is she Indian, or is she black? But you know, I respect… pic.twitter.com/3K9F6mIhI2

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 31, 2024

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