Former President Trump is facing backlash after criticizing Vice President Harris for attending the historically Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho boulé.
In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump called the boulé, when a sorority’s entire membership over the years assembles together, a “party.”
“She went actually, to a party,” Trump said. “And you know that she went to a sorority, sorority party and a very unimportant one. They have them numerous times during the year. It’s a shame.”
Harris, a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority, attended both AKA’s and Sigma Gamma Rho’s boulés in July. The two sororities are among the “Divine Nine” group, which are nine historically Black fraternities and sororities.
In her remarks at the Sigma Gamma Rho boulé, Harris said she was looking out at a family that shares the same vision for the future of the nation that she holds.
“In this moment, we face a choice between two very different visions for our nation: one focused on the future, the other focused on the past. And we in this room are fighting for the future,” Harris said.
“We are working to build up — to build up, not tear down — and to build up America’s families and America’s middle class, because we know when our middle class is strong, America is strong,” she added.
Divine Nine boulés hold a deep sense of significance for members. The events often include keynote speakers, workshops and networking events. They’re often described as a way to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood among the sororities.
Antjuan Seawright, a democratic strategist, said Trump’s comments indicate he is unaware of the history and meaning of not just the boulés, but of the Divine Nine.
“This is not the first time that we bear witness to Donald Trump’s racism not having boundaries,” Seawright said.
“Clearly, he has no acknowledgement of the history the Divine Nine has played to not only shaping the African American community, but shaping his country, and certainly the blatant continued disrespect of Black women shows his disconnect with the realities of what this country is all about.”
According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Black Greek-letter organizations were established on the principles of personal excellence, racial uplift, community service, civic action and kinship.
The founding of the organizations collided with the rise of Jim Crow laws and widespread racial violence and prejudice. The organizations were also formed during a time when Greek life at predominantly white institutions barred Black students from participation.
“Quite frankly, when you criticize one, you criticize all,” said Seawright, “and I don’t think he understands the historical power that comes along with the designer.”
Some of the most prominent Black leaders in American history were members of a Divine Nine.
Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall were members of Alpha Phi Alpha. Like Harris, Coretta Scott King was also an AKA.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson is a member of Omega Psi Phi. Former Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) is a member of Iota Phi Theta. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) is an active a member of Sigma Gamma Rho.
“I’m not surprised by Trump’s inaccurate comment,” Kelly told The Hill.
“As a proud member of the Divine Nine, Sigma Gamma Rho instilled in me the values of leadership and public service — both of which Trump severely lacks. Trump should really stop blundering his campaign because he just gave Black women yet another reason to defeat him in November and elect our sister Kamala Harris.”
Journalist Roland Martin is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. After Trump’s remarks, he took to the social platform X, calling for “all Sigma Gamma Rho and Divine 9 members” to “please vote accordingly.”
Neither the Trump nor Harris campaigns immediately responded to a request for comment.