Republican Congressman Clashes with CNN Host over Kamala Harris' Identity

Republican Congressman Byron Donalds engaged in a heated debate with CNN host Boris Sanchez over former President Trump's previous comments about Vice President Kamala Harris' racial identity. Donalds asserted that Trump would focus on issues during the presidential debate, while Sanchez pressed him on Trump's past remarks.

Republican Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida engaged in a tense clash with CNN host Boris Sanchez ahead of the ABC News Presidential Debate. The debate centered on former President Trump's previous comments about Vice President Kamala Harris' racial identity.

Republican Congressman Clashes with CNN Host over Kamala Harris' Identity

Sanchez pressed Donalds on whether Trump would repeat his accusation that Harris used her race to advance her political career. Trump had previously questioned Harris' racial identity at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference in July.

Donalds dismissed the notion, stating that it was an issue that Americans did not care about. He emphasized that Trump's focus would be on the economy, immigration, and national security.

Republican Congressman Clashes with CNN Host over Kamala Harris' Identity

Sanchez countered that it was Trump who had initiated the discussion about Harris' race. Donalds maintained that it was ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott who had raised the issue at the NABJ event.

The exchange escalated, with Donalds accusing Sanchez of "gaslighting" his audience by claiming that multiple Republicans had made disparaging remarks about Harris' identity.

Republican Congressman Clashes with CNN Host over Kamala Harris' Identity

The NABJ conference in July had sparked controversy when Trump accused Scott of asking a "nasty question" about Harris' race. Trump subsequently questioned Harris' Black identity, drawing widespread criticism from Black journalists and the White House.

Donalds argued that Trump's comments had been overblown by the media, emphasizing that Trump had not mentioned Harris' race in subsequent interviews. However, Sanchez pointed out that it was Trump who had introduced the issue into the debate.

The tense interview ended with Sanchez accusing Donalds of evading the question.

Several Republicans have made similar comments about Harris' identity. In 2020, Republican Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett referred to Harris as a "DEI hire," referring to President Biden's pledge to select a Black female Vice President.

The discussion of Harris' identity has highlighted the ongoing debate over identity politics and the role of race in American society. It has also raised questions about the extent to which personal identity should be a factor in political discourse.