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Pop icon Janet Jackson, 58, found herself at the center of a media storm after questioning Vice President Kamala Harris' racial identity in a recent interview with The Guardian. The singer's remarks, reminiscent of controversial statements made by former President Donald Trump, ignited
a fierce debate on social media and prompted a series of conflicting responses from her team.
Jackson told The Guardian, "Well, you know what they supposedly said? She's not Black. That's what I heard. That she's Indian. Her father's white. That's what I was told." These comments echoed Trump's July 2024 statement at the National Association of Black Journalists' convention, where he claimed Harris "happened to turn Black" after previously identifying as Indian.
The backlash was swift, with many fans expressing disappointment. One X user wrote, "Janet Jackson sounded an absolute fool in that interview and I am very disappointed. We are less than 50 days away from the election. We gotta talk smarter!"
Adding to the confusion, an unauthorized apology was issued by Mo Elmasri, who falsely claimed to be Jackson's manager. The statement, published by Buzzfeed, said Jackson "recognizes that her statements regarding Vice President Kamala Harris' racial identity were based on misinformation." However, Jackson's actual representatives quickly denied the authenticity of this apology.
According to Variety, Jackson's longtime manager is her brother Randy. The family was reportedly unavailable for comment due to the recent passing of Tito Jackson on September 15, 2024.
The controversy surrounding Harris' racial identity is not new. Born to an Indian mother and Jamaican father, the 59-year-old vice president has faced questions about her background throughout her political career. Harris herself has addressed the issue, shrugging off Trump's remarks as "the same old show, the divisiveness and the disrespect."
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, with election day set for November 5, the incident highlights the ongoing complexities surrounding racial identity in American politics. Polls indicate a tight race between Harris and Trump, with both candidates facing scrutiny on various fronts.
The Jackson family, no strangers to racial controversies, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. As the debate continues, many are left wondering about the impact of such discussions on the political landscape and public perception of race in America.
