WASHINGTON — Kamala Harris remains open to reparations for slavery and agrees with an accusation that Donald Trump supports fascism, the vice president said in a wide-ranging interview Tuesday with popular radio host Charlamagne Tha God.
“This is a margin-of-error race. It’s tight. I’m gonna win. I’m gonna win, but it’s tight,” Harris told listeners at the top of an hour-long interview, three weeks before Election Day as the Democratic nominee expands her outreach to Black voters, in particular, Black men.
Harris, who would be the first Black female president if elected, has sharpened her pitch to African American voters – a critical Democratic constituency – while polling suggests Trump has made slight inroads with Black male voters.
Here are five key moments from the interview in Detroit:
Harris says slavery reparations must be studied
Harris told Charlamagne that reparations for descendants of enslaved people should be studied, but stopped short of endorsing a reparations plan.
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“On the point of reparations, it has to be studied. There’s no question about that. And I’ve been very clear about that position,” said Harris, who as a U.S. senator from California backed legislation that would have created a federal commission to study slavery reparations.
Charlemagne alleges Trump’s vision is about ‘fascism’ – and Harris agrees
Harris agreed with Charlamagne when the radio show host said Trump’s vision for the country constitutes fascism.
Historically, fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology often associated with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who rose to power after World War I and coined the term in 1919 to describe his political movement.
The moment came when Harris framed the election as a race between two visions – one about moving the country forward under her leadership or backwards with Trump.
“The other is about fascism. Why can’t we just say it?” Charlamagne said.
“Yes, we can say that,” Harris responded.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment. Trump’s critics have long accused him of echoing extremist rhetoric.
More:‘Hope he’s OK’: Kamala Harris mocks Donald Trump’s odd behavior at town hall
Harris pushes national marijuana legalization
Harris reaffirmed her support for legalizing the recreational use of marijuana nationally, a policy proposal she rolled out this week while also pushing for Black entrepreneurs to have equal opportunities in the pot industry.
Harris brought up the proposal as she pushed back at attacks that she prosecuted Black men for low-level marijuana charges when she was San Francisco district attorney. She said she did not pursue incarceration for simple pot possession.
“My pledge is that as president, I will work on decriminalizing it because I know exactly how those laws have been used to disproportionately impact certain populations and specifically Black men,” Harris said.
Harris says ‘disinformation’ has distorted record with Black community
Harris defended her record addressing issues that largely impact Black voters, arguing “mis- and disinformation” has distorted the reality.
“That’s just not true,” Harris said when asked about assertions she would not do anything specifically for Black Americans if elected. “One of the biggest challenges that I face is mis- and disinformation. And it’s purposeful, because it is meant to convince people that they somehow should not believe that the work that I have done has occurred and has meaning.”
More:What to know about Kamala Harris’ interview with Fox News this week
Harris cited her record fighting for funding for historically Black colleges and universities, health care and Black maternal mortality. Throughout the interview, Harris talked up campaign policies proposals she said will benefit African Americans. That includes endorsing a $25,000 credit for first-time home buyers as well as loans fully forgivable up to $20,000 to Black entrepreneurs. She has also backed reviving tax credits for families with young children.
“Ask Donald Trump what his plan is for Black America. Ask him,” Harris said. “I’ll tell you what it is. Look at Project 2025.“
The 2025 Presidential Transition Project, as it is otherwise known, is a product of The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank. The roughly 900-page document lays out a sweeping conservative plan and personnel strategies for the country’s executive branch.
Harris likes Maya Rudolph’s ‘SNL’ caricature
Harris praised actress and comedian Maya Rudolph’s impression of her on “Saturday Night Live” – a caricature that has become a weekend ritual during the 2024 campaign season.
“Hasn’t Maya Rudolph been wonderful?” Harris said when Charlamagne asked the vice president whether it’s fair for ‘SNL’ to make fun of her as appearing scripted. “I have nothing but admiration for comedy, and I think it’s important to be able to laugh at yourself and each other in the the spirit of, obviously, comedy and not belittling people as my opponent does.”
Harris brushed off criticism that she sticks to talking points too much.
“I would say,’ ‘You’re welcome,” Harris said. “The reality is that there are certain things that must be repeated to ensure that I have everyone know what I stand for and the issues that I think are at stake in this election.”
Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.