Representative Byron DonaldsDuring a tense exchange with CNN anchor Boris Sanchez ahead of the ABC News presidential debate, the senator, R-Florida, said former President Trump would focus on issues Americans care about, not on his opponent’s race.
Sanchez pressed the Donalds on whether Trump would accuse Harris of using her race to advance her political career, after Trump questioned Harris’ racial identity at the National Association of Black Journalists (“NABJ”) convention in July.
“He basically said she used his blackness to advance her career, he said he didn’t even know she was black because she didn’t put it out there. I’m paraphrasing his comment. He responded by saying she invited him to say it to her face. Do you think Donald Trump might do that tonight?” he asked the Donalds.
Donalds responded, “No, because it’s an issue that nobody cares about.”
Trump and Harris will debate in Philadelphia. (Getty)
“He mentioned it once. He didn’t mention it again. Donald Trump’s focus is on the American people,” he said, listing the economy, immigration and national security as the key issues they would discuss in the debate.
“These are the things he’s going to say to her face. He’s not talking about her identity. Frankly, nobody is,” he said. “She might try to bring it up, but it doesn’t matter to the American people. That’s one of the reasons her support in this race may be broad, but it’s an inch deep because she’s not talking about policy.”
“Your regards, Mr. Congressman, he was the one who raised this issue first, without any prompting,” Sanchez told Donalds.
“Boris, you’re wrong, but that’s okay,” Donalds replied.
The CNN anchor pressed his guest, asking, “Didn’t he raise the issue of her race before anyone else, which would indicate he used it to his advantage?”
Donalds said ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott actually raised the claim on the journalism program.
Donalds responded, “So Rachel Scott is the person who brought race and identity to this platform.”
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks with ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott during a question and answer session at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention at the Hilton Hotel on July 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Scott asked the opening question at NABJ, asking Trump if he agreed with Republicans who view Harris as a “DEI appointee.” Scott was referring to Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican In conversation with CNN’s Manu Raju A week earlier, she said Harris should be appointed by DEI after President Biden promised to choose a Black woman vice president during his 2020 campaign.
“She was referring to Republicans who have raised this issue,” Sanchez said, arguing that it was appropriate to ask Trump the question because he, too, is a Republican.
“Let’s talk about this in a proper way,” Donalds chided the CNN host, arguing that the issue had been blown out of proportion. Media,
“There was a Republican who said this on Capitol Hill. Another Republican was asked about it,” he said, claiming Trump did not talk about Harris’ race. Dozens of subsequent interviews Whatever he has done in the last 50 days is enough.
“Is he talking about her identity? No, he’s not,” Donalds said.
Debate continued between the two over whether the election was contested by one Republican or “several” Republicans. made this abuse About Harris.
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Sanchez ended the tense interview with Donalds by accusing him of “gaslighting” his listeners.
The NABJ convention in July was heated from the start. Trump’s accusation of ABC News accused Scott of asking a “bad question” in her introduction to the Q&A session.
Scott asked Trump if he agreed with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill who appointed Harris on the basis of “DEI,” or diversity, equity and inclusion.
“I’ve known her for a long time, indirectly, not directly… and she’s always been of Indian descent, and she’s just been promoting her Indian heritage,” Trump said. “I didn’t know she was black until many years ago, when she happened to be black. And now she wants to be known as black. So, I don’t know if she’s Indian or black?”
Trump’s response sparked outrage Wave of criticism From Black journalists, the Harris campaign, and the White House.
“It’s not anyone’s prerogative to choose how they identify. It’s someone’s own decision,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “Only she (Harris) can speak about her experience. Only she can speak about what it’s like. She’s the only person who can do that. And I think it’s disrespectful to anybody. It doesn’t matter if it’s a former leader, a former president. It’s disrespectful.”
Greg Weiner of Fox News contributed to this article.
