As the 2024 election enters its final stretch, the liberal media is attempting to capitalize on Donald Trump’s comments about Kamala Harris’ racial identity. This sudden interest in Trump’s remarks is a tacit admission that the Democratic Party is struggling to connect with its traditional voter base. By seizing on this issue, the media hopes to galvanize liberal support. However, this strategy may ultimately backfire, as personal attacks on Harris tend to energize liberal voters.
At a recent conference for the National Association of Black Journalists, Trump sparked controversy by suggesting that Harris had shifted her racial identity from Indian to black as her national profile grew. While many were outraged, some found the comment amusing. Republicans are often caught off guard by such criticism, but Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) skillfully navigated a recent interview with former Clinton aide George Stephanopoulos. When pressed to condemn Trump’s comments, Donalds deftly sidestepped the question, instead highlighting Trump’s criticisms of Harris’ policy record and its impact on American families.
Donalds’ refusal to take the bait left Stephanopoulos visibly frustrated. The ABC News host repeatedly pressed Donalds to acknowledge that Trump was wrong, but the Florida Republican stood firm.
Donalds also pointed out that the Associated Press had previously identified Harris as the first Indian American elected to the U.S. Senate, rendering Stephanopoulos’ line of questioning somewhat moot. As the interview drew to a close, Donalds politely but firmly told Stephanopoulos, “You’ve asked me the question three times, I responded.” Despite this, Stephanopoulos continued to push for a different answer.
This exchange is a classic example of the Trump campaign’s approach to the media. By refusing to engage with Stephanopoulos’ narrative, Donalds effectively neutralized the issue. However, the fact that Donalds, a black man, declined to play along with the expected script may have been equally galling to some liberal commentators.
