Tupac's family calls Trump campaign ‘disrespectful’ over debate ticket stunt

Mopreme Shakur, stepbrother of the rapper who was murdered in 1996, said it was ‘clearly disrespectful’ of the Trump campaign to issue a ticket to the vice presidential debate to Tupac, as a way of needling Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris, asked who the best rapper alive was, replied “Tupac Shakur” - who died in 1996 (Getty Images)

Tupac Shakur’s stepbrother has criticised the Trump campaign for “disrespecting” his late brother’s memory, after they issued a ticket for Tupac to attend the vice presidential debate, in a jab at Kamala Harris.

Harris has been ridiculed by Trump supporters for, when asked in September who the best rapper alive was, replying: “Tupac.”

Tupac was shot and killed in 1996, dying aged 25 in the midst of a war between rival gangs.

Mopreme Shakur told TMZ on Saturday that it was "clearly disrespectful" to his family for the campaign to arrange the ticket stunt.

He said he was not surprised, however."We should know Trump's lack of respect for the black and brown community," he said.And he said the family was flattered by Harris’ posthumous endorsement, saying that it made sense because Harris, like Tupac, was from California.

Jason Miller, senior communications manager for the Trump campaign, had confirmed a seat was being reserved for Tupac at the 7 October debate.“We have left a ticket for Tupac Shakur, Senator Harris' favorite rapper alive,” Miller said."I'm personally more of a Biggie fan, if he's still alive, but we will have a ticket for Tupac."Rapper Biggie Smalls, an East Coast rival, was shot and killed a year after Tupac, in 1997.

Harris herself laughed off the blunder.

“He's not alive!” cried Angela Rye, who was interviewing Harris and asked the question. "You say he lives on?'

Harris laughed and replied: “Not alive, I know, I keep doing that.”

Rye jokingly defended the gaffe, pointing to the conspiracy theories that Tupac could be alive.

“Listen, West Coast girls think Tupac lives on; I'm with you,” she said. “So Tupac keep going.”

“I keep doing that,” Harris repeated. 

“Who would I say? I mean there's so many, you know?

“There's some I would not mention right now because they should stay in their lane but others...”

Rye laughed and replied: “I don't know what that means…” 

Harris, also laughing, told her to move on from the question.

“Keep going, keep going, keep moving Angela.”