In a surprising twist of political history, there was a time when Donald Trump financially supported Kamala Harris’s campaign. Long before they were potential adversaries in the race for the U.S. presidency, Trump made two significant contributions to Harris’s campaign for re-election as California’s Attorney General.
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Years ago, Donald Trump donated $5,000 in September 2011 and another $1,000 in February 2013 to Kamala Harris’s re-election campaign. Additionally, Ivanka Trump, his daughter, contributed $2,000 to her campaign in 2014.
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The revelation of these donations resurfaced prominently when Kamala Harris was announced as Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 presidential election. Trump’s team used these contributions to counter claims of racism against him. Katrina Pierson, a senior advisor to Trump’s campaign, highlighted these donations as evidence against such accusations, emphasizing, “I note that Kamala Harris is a Black woman and he donated to her campaign. I hope this helps dispel the argument of racism.”
Kamala Harris responded by stating that she had redirected Trump’s donations to a nonprofit organization that defends civil and human rights for Central Americans.
Questioning Motives
At the time, some speculated on Trump’s motives behind these donations. Loretta Sanchez, Harris’s Democratic opponent, wondered if Trump was trying to influence the state of California’s investigation into Trump University. The now-defunct Trump University faced legal action over allegations of fraudulent practices. Reports suggest that during her tenure, Harris took several actions against Trump University.
A spokesperson for Joe Biden’s campaign clarified that Harris never solicited donations from Trump and that his contributions did not influence her handling of the investigations involving him.
Trump’s Political Donations
Before running for president as a Republican in 2016, Trump had a history of donating to several Democratic figures, including Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Andrew Cuomo. However, from 2010 onwards, Trump’s donations shifted almost exclusively to Republican causes, with his support for Harris being a notable exception.
Between 2011 and 2015, Trump’s donations to Democratic candidates dropped to $8,500, compared to $630,150 given to Republicans during the same period, according to Ballotpedia.
Changing Dynamics
Despite these past donations, Trump did not hesitate to criticize Harris once she emerged as a significant contender in the Democratic primaries. Trump commented, “I think she’s no better than Joe Biden. She could actually be less competent, which is hard to believe.”
He also criticized her handling of immigration issues as Vice President, stating, “She was in charge of the border. She was the border czar. It’s been the worst it’s ever been.”
In a campaign rally, Trump mockingly referred to Harris as “Laughing Kamala,” commenting on her demeanor and questioning her mental stability, saying, “Have you ever seen her laugh? She’s crazy. You can tell a lot about people by the way they laugh. No, she’s crazy. She’s nuts.”
The journey from donor to adversary highlights the complex and often surprising nature of political alliances and rivalries.
Mike Johnson is a passionate news writer with a keen interest in current events. With over a decade of experience in journalism, he has a talent for uncovering the stories that matter most. Mike’s insightful articles and in-depth analyses have made him a trusted voice in the industry. He thrives on staying ahead of the news curve, providing readers with timely and relevant information. Whether it’s breaking news, politics, or social issues, Mike’s dedication to the craft ensures that his readers are always well-informed.