During what was called an interview at a gathering for the National Association of Black Journalists, former President Donald Trump questioned his Democrat opponent Vice President Kamala Harris' racial claim of being black.
Trump said he had previously known Harris, whose mother is of Indian descent and father is of Jamaican descent, as an Indian-American politician.
On MSNBC, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) protested Trump's comments.
Alabama's top elected Democrat called Trump "racist" and said the remarks disqualified him from being president.
"Well, you know, it is obviously ludicrous," she declared. "This is what Donald Trump does best: lie. The fact that he would be so hostile on this interview and so racist, frankly, to even say that she is never thought of herself as being black when she joined the first and the oldest African American sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, I'm a member as well, she's never -- she's always self-identified as being black. So, that's just a falsity. And, like you said, it is a distraction. And as Michael was saying, this is a contrast between two vastly different visions of America. And when people show you who they are, you have to believe it. And Donald Trump has shown us again and again and again that he is not the right person to be president of the United States."
Later in the MSNBC appearance, Sewell called the former president "scared" for backing out of the debate he had agreed to with President Joe Biden, who stepped aside from the Democratic nomination earlier this month.
"You know, I think that he doesn't," she said of a Trump-Harris debate. "He works best when he talks about things without having someone counter him. Kamala Harris said it perfectly last night. He keeps talking about her. He needs to talk to her face-to-face. She's ready for that. I think the country is ready for that. And I think it should happen. The fact is he's scared."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
