Trump Calls Harris Lazy, Tapper Says It's Racist

In a recent episode of CNN's "The Lead," host Jake Tapper addressed former President Donald Trump's comments regarding Vice President Kamala Harris, labeling them as racially charged. During a speech in Arizona, Trump criticized Harris, claiming she was "lazy" and did not want to fulfill her role as border czar, suggesting she preferred an open border policy. Tapper highlighted the problematic nature of Trump's language, noting that the term "lazy" has historically been used as a racist stereotype against African-Americans. Tapper expressed surprise at Trump's choice of words, stating, "Lazy, that’s a new one. I hadn’t heard him use that word, interesting language there." He then shifted the conversation to the ongoing border crisis, asking former White House adviser Susan Rice for her perspective on how Harris should respond to the situation. Rice emphasized Harris's support for bipartisan legislation aimed at enhancing border security, indicating that the Vice President is focused on constructive solutions. In his commentary, Tapper acknowledged that while there are valid criticisms of Harris, labeling her as "lazy" is unfounded and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. He remarked on his familiarity with Harris, asserting that he has never heard her described in such derogatory terms. Rice, in response, urged against engaging in personal attacks, stating, "We don’t have time or the need to get into the mud with Donald Trump," reinforcing the importance of maintaining a focus on policy rather than personal insults.