CNN’s chief political correspondent, Dana Bash, asked Harris about Donald Trump‘s racial attacks, particularly when Trump said his opponent “wasn’t Black enough”.
In response, Harris shook her head, appearing as though she did not want to dwell on the subject.
“Same old, tired playbook,” Harris responded.
“Next question, please.”
“That’s it?” Bash asked.
“That’s it,” Harris replied.
Former US President Donald Trump had made a strong personal attack on Harris on August 1 by claiming that she, after being of “Indian heritage” for years, “turned Black” a few years ago.
“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. 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?” CNN quoted him as saying.
During the interview, Bash asked Harris about her plans for her first day in office if elected in November. Harris emphasised that her top priority as President would be bolstering the middle class. She outlined plans to make housing more affordable and expand the child tax credit, noting that, despite economic growth since the pandemic, many Americans are still struggling with high prices.
Bash also pressed Harris on the major changes she has made to her policy platform since her initial presidential run in 2020.
“Let’s be clear: My values have not changed. I believe it is very important that we take seriously what we must do to guard against what is a clear crisis in terms of the climate,” Harris said.
Harris also addressed foreign policy, discussing continued US aid to Israel amid its war in Gaza.
When asked if she would consider withholding some weapon shipments to Israel, Harris did not provide a direct answer. Instead, she reiterated her call for a ceasefire agreement and emphasized the importance of bringing the hostages home.
“I remain committed since I’ve been on October 8, to what we must do to work toward a two state solution where Israel is secure and in equal measure, the Palestinians have security and self-determination and dignity,” she said.
Bash also questioned Harris’s running mate, Tim Walz, about apparent exaggerations he had made regarding his military record. Walz was asked about comments from 2018 where he mentioned carrying a weapon into war, which he had never actually done.
He admitted to misspeaking, explaining, “We were talking about, in this case, after a school shooting, the ideas of carrying these weapons of war, and my wife, the English teacher, telling me my grammar is not always correct.”
Walz defended himself, saying, “My record speaks for itself… I speak like they do. I speak candidly. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, and I speak especially passionately about our children being shot in schools and around guns. So I think people know me.”