The event was combative from the start as Trump and three moderators from the National Association of Black Journalists sparred throughout.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ race took center stage in a combative back-and-forth exchange with former President Donald Trump during a panel discussion Wednesday at a gathering of Black journalists in Chicago.

“I did not know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now wants to be known as Black,” Trump said.

“I respect either one," he added, "but she obviously doesn’t, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and she went she became Black. … Somebody should look into that too.”

It was in response to a question about the appropriateness of some Republicans saying Harris is a “DEI hire,” a term referring to workplace policies promoting “diversity, equity and inclusion.” It has increasingly been used by some on the right to discredit people of colorwith opposing political views.