Vice President Kamala Harris’ first video message to supporters after her electoral loss to President-elect Donald Trump has ignited widespread discussion on social media. Shared Tuesday via the Democratic Party’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the video features Harris addressing discouraged supporters, urging them to stay empowered despite the defeat.
Harris’ Message to Supporters
In the video, Harris appears in a solemn tone, directly addressing her audience:
“I just have to remind you, don’t let anybody take your power from you. You have the same power that you did before Nov. 5, and you have the same purpose that you did. And you have the same ability to engage and inspire. So don’t ever let anybody or any circumstance take your power from you.”
The video reportedly stemmed from a private call Harris held with donors and volunteers earlier in the day, during which she addressed the outcome of the election. Harris thanked her supporters for their unprecedented efforts during the campaign, saying, “The outcome of this election obviously is not what we wanted. It is not what we worked so hard for. But I am proud of the race we ran, and your role in this was critical.”
Social Media Reacts
The video quickly gained traction on social media, with many users expressing shock and confusion over its content and presentation. Some commenters described the video as “terrible” and questioned how it was approved for release.
- Kimberly Ross, a contributor to the DC Examiner, tweeted: “Is this a…joke? It’s a terrible video. Yikes.”
- Fox News contributor Joe Concha added: “I’m not sure you guys want to be amplifying this. There’s something, ummmm, off with the vice president.”
- OutKick columnist Mary Katharine Ham quipped, “When you hand your phone to someone to police your social media posts… you wanna hand it to someone who likes you.”
- Dan McLaughlin of National Review commented: “No video like this would ever have been released by a politician who is not hated by her staff.”
The Republican Committee of Prince William County remarked, “The joy is gone,” while former Trump White House advisor Ben Williamson joked, “I’d read a 5,000-word article on how this got approved for release.”
Critiques of the Timing and Tone
Beyond the technical and aesthetic criticisms, several commentators took issue with the timing and tone of the message. Senior National Review Online writer Jim Geraghty noted, “The message ‘don’t let anyone take your power from you’ is perhaps less than ideal as a theme during the peaceful transfer of power.”
Atlantic contributing writer Tyler Austin Harper questioned the purpose of the video entirely, writing: “Who thought this was a good idea? Who is this for? What is this for? What is she even saying? Once again, I will reiterate that we are ruled by imbeciles.”
Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, posted: “They wouldn’t let her go on @joerogan but they let her do this,” adding a facepalm emoji.
Harris’ Public Absence Since the Election
Since conceding the election earlier this month, Harris has maintained a low profile, spending time vacationing in Hawaii with her husband, Doug Emhoff. Her rare public appearances have been met with mixed reactions, reflecting the divisive nature of her tenure as vice president and the Democratic Party’s recent defeat.
Harris’ concession speech on November 6, delivered at her alma mater, Howard University, acknowledged the disappointment of her supporters while emphasizing the unprecedented effort of the campaign. “What we did in 107 days was historic,” Harris said at the time.
Conclusion
Harris’ video, while aimed at rallying her base, appears to have sparked more confusion than inspiration. As she continues to navigate her post-election role, questions remain about her political future and the Democratic Party’s path forward following the election loss.
Sources
- Fox News: X Users Stunned by Kamala Harris Video
- Associated Press: Kamala Harris Concession Speech at Howard University
- The Hill: Democratic Party Post-Election Messaging
- National Review: Social Media Reacts to Harris’ Video
- Twitter/X: Democratic Party Official Account
Vice President @KamalaHarris’ message to supporters. pic.twitter.com/x5xMUGTtkz
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) November 26, 2024
