Critics piled on former Vice President Kamala Harris for issuing a gloomy statement on the Fourth of July — while sharing a picture of last year’s festivities that cropped out her onetime running-mate Joe Biden.
“This Fourth of July, I am taking a moment to reflect. Things are hard right now. They are probably going to get worse before they get better,” Harris posted Friday on X.
“But I love our country — and when you love something, you fight for it. Together, we will continue to fight for the ideals of our nation.”
X users were quick to point out that the image Harris promoted — which showed her and first gentleman Doug Emhoff enjoying an Independence Day fireworks display in July 2024 — was conveniently framed to exclude Biden and first lady Jill.
“Kamala cropping Joe out is very symbolic,” noted Link Lauren, a former senior adviser to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign, publishing another shot from the White House balcony that shows the first couple just feet away.
“[W]hose elbow is that at the right[?]” jeered another X user.
Others took issue with the ominous tone of her holiday statement.
“Feeling grateful we didn’t end up with a President who posts ‘things are gonna get worse’ on the 4th of July,” added Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kiersten Pels.
“Among other reasons, this is why you’re not President,” a second netizen chimed in, while a third encouraged her to “just enjoy the day.”
“America is unburdened by what has been,” a fourth needled, paraphrasing a favorite catchphrase of the VP.
“Kamala sets a new record for the worst 4th of July message ever,” claimed 710 WOR radio host Mark Simone.
Still, others pointed to her use of the word “fight” as telling of her future political ambitions.
“[S]he’s definitely running in 2028,” one X user mused.
“Don’t stop fighting, Kamala,” mocked Article III Project founder and Trump ally Mike Davis. “And please run again in 2028.”
The California Democrat has made few public appearances since her resounding loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 election, with all seven swing states going to the Republican after Biden bowed out of the race months prior.
In April, Harris delivered an odd keynote address that attacked the Trump administration’s economic and immigration policies — without directly invoking the 47th president’s name — during a 20th anniversary gala in San Francisco for Emerge, a Democratic group helping women run for office.
Recent public polling also shows that her favorability and chances at clinching the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination are declining.
An Emerson College poll last month found just 13% would back Harris in the primary, whereas 16% would favor former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who dropped out of the Democratic contest with just 15 delegates before Super Tuesday in 2020.
When the same pollster surveyed Dems in November, at least 37% still stood by Harris.
Other surveys have ranked her much higher, with a Morning Consult poll in March showing 36% support from Democratic and Democratic-leaning independent voters in the 2028 primary.
The following month, the same percentage of respondents seen as “policy influencers” said they weren’t that excited about her pursuing a gubernatorial bid in California next year either, according to a survey by Politico and UC Berkeley’s Citrin Center.
Harris insiders told Politico the former vice president and California Democratic senator will make a decision about her political future by the end of this summer.
