US elections: Trump reposts a vulgar remark about Kamala Harris on social media, sparks row

Former President Donald J Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, and stirred a controversy on Wednesday by reposting a crude remark about Vice President Kamala Harris. The remark, which was initially posted by one of Trump’s supporters, suggested that Harris advanced her political career through sexual favors, referencing her past relationship with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.
The reposted comment linked Harris’s career rise to her past relationship with Brown, who was Speaker of the California State Assembly during their relationship. The remark also included a derogatory reference to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, alluding to her husband’s affair with Monica Lewinsky.
Trump’s repost, which featured a screenshot of the offensive comment, followed a pattern of personal and sexist attacks against Harris.
The reposted image contained a comment that read, “Funny how blowjobs impacted both their careers differently…”—a reference to Bill Clinton’s impeachment and Harris’s past relationship with Brown.

This remark has drawn sharp criticism for its explicit nature and the implications it carries about Harris’s career achievements.
This is the second time in recent weeks that Trump has shared sexually charged attacks on the vice president, reflecting his history of crass insults against political opponents.

On August 18, he shared a video from the Dilley Meme Team, which included a parody of Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic” that denigrated Harris in a similar fashion. Trump’s recent posts, including over 30 reposts in a 30-minute span on Wednesday, also featured conspiracy theories and calls for the prosecution of political adversaries.

Harris’s campaign has largely avoided engaging with Trump’s personal attacks, while critics argue that Trump’s rhetoric could alienate key voter groups, including women and Black voters. Harris, the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to be a major party’s presidential nominee, has faced such attacks throughout her career, which she and her supporters have dismissed as sexist and unfounded.
Trump’s history of gender-based attacks is well-documented, including during his 2016 presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton. His controversial remarks and behavior, including a recent $83.3 million judgment for defamation against writer E Jean Carroll, have sparked ongoing debates about his conduct and its impact on his political standing.