A Donald Trump ally has come under criticism after making a derogatory comment about Kamala Harris’ Indian heritage, stating that the White House would “smell like curry” if Harris were to become president. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre rebuked Trump’s connection to Laura Loomer, who made the offensive remarks, calling them “repugnant.”
Before the presidential debate between Trump and Harris on Tuesday, Loomer stated that if the Democratic nominee, who has Indian heritage, won the election on November 5, “the White House will smell like curry and speeches will be delivered via a call centre.”
Loomer, a former congressional candidate, posted the remarks on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a picture Harris shared on National Grandparents Day.
The post included a joke about the White House speeches being managed via call centers and American feedback being taken through customer satisfaction surveys “nobody will understand,” referencing Harris’ background.
Loomer’s comments have been met with backlash, even from some Trump supporters, such as Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said, “This does not represent President Trump. This type of behaviour should not be tolerated ever.”
Jean-Pierre expressed her disdain during a press briefing, saying, “No leader should ever associate with someone who spreads this kind of ugliness. This kind of racist poison, that’s what this is.”
“It is, repugnant, these types of comments, it is un-American to say these types of things, exactly the kind of hateful and divisive rhetoric that we should denounce,” White House spokeswoman said.
Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, migrated to the US from India, and her father, Donald J Harris, is from Jamaica.
Jean-Pierre went on to add, “Exactly the kind of hateful, divisive rhetoric that we should denounce. And should not be part of the fabric of this country.” She also brought up Loomer’s past comments, including calling the 9/11 attacks an “inside job,” saying, “No leader should be connected to that or spreading that.”
(With Inputs from PTI)