Bryon Donalds dismisses attacks on Harris' race in two words as he spars with George Stephanopoulos

Byron Donalds and George Stephanopoulos engaged in a heated back-and-forth over Trump's recent comments, frequently interrupting each other
PUBLISHED AUG 5, 2024
Byron Donalds defended against criticism of Kamala Harris's race with a single word during his exchange with George Stephanopoulos (Getty Images)
Byron Donalds defended against criticism of Kamala Harris's race with a single word during his exchange with George Stephanopoulos (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Byron Donalds conveyed to ABC's George Stephanopoulos that the Republican nominee Donald Trump's challenge to Vice President Kamala Harris' racial identity was inconsequential, even though he himself has repeatedly delved into the topic.

During a heated interview on ABC's 'This Week,' the Florida Republican and Stephanopoulos engaged in a back-and-forth exchange regarding Trump's recent comments, frequently interrupting and admonishing one another.

Byron Donalds criticized the controversy surrounding Kamala Harris' racial identity

“This is really a phony controversy,” Byron Donalds said. “I don’t really care, most people don’t, but if we’re going to be accurate, when Kamala Harris went into the United States Senate, it was AP that said she was the Indian-American United States senator. It was actually played up a lot,” as per the Politico.

Stephanopoulos responded, "And you just repeated the slur again. If it doesn't matter," he asked Donalds, "why do you keep questioning her identity? She's always identified as a Black woman. She is biracial, with a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. She's always identified as both. Why are you questioning that?"


PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 30: Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) shakes hands with former U.S. President Donald Trump during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on June 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The self-labeled
Rep Byron Donalds is an outspoken supporter of former US President Donald Trump (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

Donalds, an outspoken supporter of Trump, responded by saying that it was a trending topic on "social media."

"There are a lot of people who are trying to figure this out, but again, that's a side issue, not the main issue," Donalds stated. During his point, Stephanopoulos interjected, leading to cross-talk. "You just did it again. Why do you insist on questioning her racial identity?"

Byron Donalds defends the ABC host

After Byron Donalds clarified that most of Donald Trump's remarks on Saturday, August 3, were unrelated to Kamala Harris' race, Stephanopoulos asked if it was appropriate for Trump to even briefly "question someone’s racial identity."

After that, the Florida Republican resumed criticizing Harris' overall record since her election to the Senate from California.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), speaks with reporters as he is followed by Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) as they depart a meeting with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) at the U.S. Capitol on January 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Earlier in the day, a group of right-wing House Republicans sabotaged their own party's bills in protest of a spending deal the Speaker cut with Senate Democrats. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Byron Donalds clarified that most of Donald Trump's remarks on Saturday, August 3, were unrelated to Kamala Harris' race( Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

More crosstalk ensued when Stephanopoulos challenged Donalds again, asking why he kept repeating the same point. Donalds replied that it was the ABC host who kept bringing up the subject.

“Every single time you repeat the slur,” Stephanopoulos countered. “That’s exactly my point.”

Chris Christie criticizes Donald Trump's criticisms of Kamala Harris

Responding to the interview with Byron Donalds on ABC, Chris Christie, the former Governor of New Jersey and a frequent Donald Trump critic, remarked that the ex-president's criticisms of Kamala Harris are more impulsive than part of a calculated political strategy.

“You can’t imagine that anybody who understands anything about politics would say, hey, here’s a great idea: Go to the National Association of Black Journalists and question whether Kamala Harris is black or not,” he made this statement during a panel discussion alongside Stephanopoulos and the veteran Democratic strategist, Donna Brazile.

GOP candidate Chris Christie addresses Donald Trump on 'Morning Joe' (YouTube/MSNBC)
GOP candidate Chris Christie addressed Donald Trump's criticism of Kamala Harris on 'Morning Joe' (YouTube/MSNBC)

Christie, a contender in both the 2016 and 2024 GOP primaries, stated that Trump's rhetoric reflects his panic over the changing dynamics of the race, which are not in his favor.

Additionally, Christie referenced Trump's recent attacks on Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp.

“This is who he is, George. This is personal. He’s juvenile,” Christie said.

Donna Brazile compared Trump's rhetoric to the birtherism questions that he and others raised during Barack Obama's presidency.

“This is an old playbook. America’s tired of this playbook,” she said.

Internet ridicules Byron Donalds for his statement 

As soon as Byron Donalds' statement surfaced the social media, users started reacting to it.

A user wrote, "@ByronDonalds is #Weird ... why do any journalist interview him? Always trying to pick up the clean end of poop and failing. Breaking News: we do care about the ugly filth coming out of Trump's mouth." [sic]



 

Another user slammed Donalds, "A man who is unsure of his own identity and manhood."



 

A commentator wrote, "This liar has some nerve. One moment he's Jamaican and then he isn't."



 

"??? Dude, WTF nonsensical BS are you rambling about?" One asked mockingly. [sic]



 

A person said, "Let’s start questioning his racial identity."



 

One user chimed, "He kinda behaves in an obtuse manner."



 

"He sounded like a buffoon!" An X user remarked.



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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