In a recent interview with CNN, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance stood by Donald Trump's controversial comments about Kamala Harris' racial identity, asserting that it was "totally reasonable" for his running mate to suggest that Harris "pretends to be somebody different, depending on the audience she's talking to."

Trump's remarks were made at the National Association of Black Journalists' convention, where he claimed that Harris, the biracial daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, had "happened to turn Black" in recent years. Vance, the Ohio senator and father of three biracial children, defended Trump's comments and stated that they did not give him pause.

Labeling Harris as a "chameleon," Vance alleged that she was "everything to everybody" and accused her of using a "fake Southern accent" during a recent campaign event in Atlanta, targeting a predominantly Black audience. He further mentioned that Harris spent her teenage years in Canada, asserting that she was raised there.

Spokesperson Sarafina Chitika from Harris' campaign swiftly responded to Vance's remarks, criticizing him as "the most unpopular Vice Presidential nominee in history," and accusing both Vance and Trump of spreading "hatred and lies" to divide the American people.

Trump's comments not only drew criticism but also ignited a political controversy, potentially hindering his campaign's efforts to gain support from non-White voters. Trump wrongly suggested that Harris had downplayed her racial identity, similar to his past attacks on Black political rivals, including the false "birther" conspiracy theory against former President Barack Obama.

Harris responded to Trump's remarks during a speech at a Black sorority gathering in Houston, condemning his divisive and disrespectful behavior and emphasizing that the American people deserve better.

It is worth noting that Vance was previously a harsh critic of Trump, but has since changed his stance. Furthermore, he criticized Harris for purportedly reversing her policy stances in her 2019 presidential campaign, calling for her to explain why she changed her positions on issues such as fracking, defunding the police, and border control.

During the interview, Vance also defended Trump for not directly answering a question about whether Vance himself was ready to be president. He stated, "I'm absolutely ready to be president on Day One," but acknowledged that voters tend to focus on the top of the ticket.

Vance also credited Trump for the recent prisoner swap between the United States, several Western nations, and Russia, which saw the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan from Russian prisons. He attributed the successful exchange to the recognition of Trump's strength by "bad guys all over the world."

Lastly, Vance criticized the Biden administration's handling of border security during his visit to the US-Mexico border in Arizona. He highlighted Harris' role in addressing the root causes of migration in Central America, referring to her as Biden's "border czar."

Overall, Vance's defense of Trump's false remarks on Harris' racial identity has drawn significant criticism, with opponents accusing him and Trump of spreading divisiveness and lacking a positive vision for the country's progress. The controversy is likely to continue as the election approaches.