Former Fox host Megyn Kelly came under fire after a recent interview in which she questioned Vice President Kamala Harris's manner of speech, calling it a "blaccent" while speaking with conservative radio host Joe Pags. Kelly's remarks reopened long-running debates about Harris's racial identity and drew immediate criticism for relying on racialized tropes.
What Kelly Said
"What's with the blaccent?" Kelly asked, later adding, "Who does she think she's fooling? She's such a fraud. And … her Black, we all know the barber shop didn't even believe she was Black, right? Those Black guys during the campaign were like, 'She's not Black, she's Indian.' That's the part of her heritage she's always leaned into."
What 'Blaccent' Means
The slang term "blaccent" is a blend of "Black" and "accent," commonly used to describe a non-Black person imitating speech patterns associated with some Black Americans, including features of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Merriam-Webster notes the term is "almost always used disapprovingly." Critics said Kelly's use of the term and her characterization of Harris invoked racial stereotyping rather than a substantive critique.
Background On Kamala Harris
Harris was born in Oakland, California, to immigrants: her father emigrated from Jamaica and her mother from India. She attended Howard University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and has written about being raised as a Black daughter in her 2019 memoir, The Truths We Hold. In that book Harris wrote that her mother "understood very well that she was raising two black daughters" and aimed to raise them "into confident, proud black women."
Longstanding Attacks On Identity
Questions about Harris's racial identity have surfaced repeatedly in political discourse. In 2024, then-candidate Donald Trump publicly questioned whether Harris was "Indian or ... Black," remarks that echoed the same themes Kelly invoked. Harris has addressed similar attacks before, including during a 2019 interview on The Breakfast Club, calling the tactic "not new" and comparing it to previous efforts to delegitimize other Black figures.
Kelly's Controversial History
Kelly's comments fit a pattern of racially charged controversies. In 2018 she apologized after defending blackface, stating initially that "back when I was a kid, that was okay just as long as you were dressing as a character," and later acknowledging the painful history of blackface. She has also faced criticism for other remarks about Black public figures and communities. In June of this year she drew condemnation for disparaging comments about Haitian migrants under Temporary Protected Status.
Reaction And Context
Observers and critics said Kelly's characterization amplified racial stereotypes and ignored Harris's documented background and personal testimony about her identity. The episode illustrates how questions of race and authenticity can be weaponized in political and media discourse.
Source Material
Video of Kelly's remarks was shared by outlets including Unshaken and Unafraid, and the episode was reported by Mediaite. The account above summarizes those reports and places the comments in the context of Harris's own statements and Kelly's prior controversies.
