Kamala Harris accuses Donald Trump of sowing 'divisiveness' over race comments
Donald Trump's comments have caused outrage across the United States, as Good Morning Britain's Noel Phillips reports
Kamala Harris has accused Donald Trump of attempting to sow "divisiveness" and "disrespect", after he said the US vice president "happened to turn Black" some years ago.
Trump told the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) on Wednesday that Harris - who is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian parents - had in the past only promoted her Indian heritage, but now wants to be "known as Black".
He said: "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black. So, I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?"
Responding to the comments, Harris called the former president's display the "same old show: the divisiveness and the disrespect".
She added: "And let me just say, the American people deserve better. The American people deserve better.
"Our differences do not divide us, they are an essential source of our strength."
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also criticised Trump's comments as "repulsive".
Trump's appearance at the NABJ became hostile when ABC News' Rachel Scott questioned him about his past comments about Black people and journalists. He then accused Scott of giving him a "very rude introduction".
"I think it's disgraceful that I came here in good spirit. I love the Black population of this country, I've done so much for the Black population of this country," he said.
The 78-year-old added that illegal immigrants are "taking Black jobs".
When pressed by Ms Scott on what he meant by a "Black job", Trump responded: "Any job," prompting groans from the audience.
Trump later claimed he had been "best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln".
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His comments are reminiscent of similar attacks on Black political rivals in the past.
Trump gained prominence in Republican politics by promoting the false and racist "birther" conspiracy theory, claiming that former president Barack Obama was not born in the United States.
His discussion at the NABJ sparked backlash within the organisation.
One high-profile member stepped down, and others voiced concerns that Trump would use the platform to spread false claims or imply he had the group's endorsement.
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