🚨 Axios PM: "Is she Black?"

💺 Plus: Best seat on the plane | Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Open in app View in browser   Presented By United for Democracy   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Jul 31, 2024 Goodbye, July! Today's newsletter, edited by Sam Baker, is 512 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Sheryl Miller for copy editing.     1 big thing: Trump questions Harris' race   Former President Trump answers questions in Chicago today from ABC News' Rachel Scott. Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images "I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?" former President Trump said today as he launched into a shocking diatribe about Vice President Harris' race in front of the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. "I respect either one, but she obviously doesn't, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and she went — she became a Black person," he said. "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black," Trump said. 🎯 Reality check: Harris has talked at length — including in her book, during her 2020 presidential campaign and in her time as vice president — about her multiracial heritage. Her father is Jamaican; her mother was Indian American. Harris is both the first Black woman and the first Asian American to serve as vice president. She'd be both the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as president. Harris graduated from Howard University, joined a historically Black sorority and was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. 🎤 In a combative, often rambling appearance, Trump also defended the Jan. 6 rioters and referred repeatedly to "Black jobs." He accused ABC News' Rachel Scott, one of the journalists interviewing him, of a "nasty" question and "very rude introduction." At today's briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called Trump's comments "repulsive" and "insulting." Go deeper.     2. 🌮 Taco Bell to test AI drive-thrus   Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios   Taco Bell is planning to have AI take drive-thru orders at hundreds of U.S. locations later this year, Axios Closer co-author Nathan Bomey reports. Why it matters: Fast-food restaurants are grappling with labor shortages and AI could help with that — though it'll raise questions about jobs being replaced. 🦾 Reality check: McDonald's recently killed its experiment with AI ordering after social media featured embarrassing errors.     A message from United for Democracy Biden's path forward: How to restore our democracy     The corrupt Supreme Court supermajority has stolen Americans' freedoms — and is attempting to crown former President Trump as a king. The only way to fix the Court is to ensure leaders in Congress and the White House reverse the damage, restore our freedoms and safeguard our democracy. Learn more.     3. Catch me up   Firefighters set a backfire on the eastern front of the Park Fire near Chico, Calif., on Sunday. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images 🔥 Another record-breaking heat wave could soon exacerbate the dozens of wildfires burning across the western U.S., which have already forced thousands of people to evacuate. Go deeper. 🇮🇱 The Biden administration is "very concerned" the assassination of Hamas' political leader could derail negotiations over a hostage/ceasefire deal and increase the risk of a regional war. Go deeper. ✈️ Kelly Ortberg, an aerospace industry veteran, will be the new CEO of Boeing as the company attempts to recover from safety lapses. Go deeper.     4. ✈️ Where fliers want to sit   Infographic: Upgraded Points Window seats near the front of the plane are the most sought-after seats on a typical flight, Axios aviation expert Alex Fitzpatrick writes from a recent survey by Upgraded Points. Seats 1A, 7F and 7A — all front-row window seats — are the most popular options based on a typical Boeing 737-800 seat map. 💺 Nearly 67% of passengers prefer window seats. About 32% favor the aisle. 1.7%, for some reason, opt for the middle seat. About 34% of respondents said Delta has the comfiest seats, followed by American and United, which each came in at around 16%. Share this story.     A message from United for Democracy New plan calls to reform the corrupt Supreme Court     United for Democracy applauds President Biden and Vice President Harris for taking bold actions to build a Supreme Court that works for all Americans. Why it's important: Americans deserve justices who serve the interests of the people — not the wealthy few. See what's at stake.   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Advertise with us. Axios, PO Box 101060, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: