The shadow of Veterans Day seems to have barely darkened the White House, as the first joint appearance of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris quickly turned into a display more fitting for a funeral than a commemoration. The two political allies—if that’s still the right word—stumbled through a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the gravesite of many gallant men and women overshadowed by the apparent icy tension between their presiding figures.
Biden took this historic moment, likely one of their most significant since the election debacle—and we can call it a debacle, because it was—since Kamala Harris was crushed by President-elect Donald J. Trump. White House propaganda claimed that both leaders delivered feel-good speeches about a peaceful transfer of power, while Biden showered Harris with praise for her “inspiring campaign.” Anyone tuning in could have almost mistaken the on-stage goodwill for sincerity, but those who know the inner workings of the Democrats can easily read the frowns hidden beneath their smiles.
It looks a little uncomfortable for Kamala sitting next to Jill Biden on Veterans Day today. She betrayed her husband and lost the election. 😆 pic.twitter.com/fZlaT2DwpC
— Joey franko (@franko_ufo) November 12, 2024
This gathering was an odd scene, as Jill Biden’s expression revealed volumes. Viewed through the lens of social media, the first lady’s sour visage contrasted sharply with the radiant demeanor of Kamala Harris, who, despite the recent electoral fiasco, appeared ready to jump for joy. But one has to wonder what sort of shenanigans would bubble to the surface if the cameras weren’t rolling. The general consensus is that there’s more disdain simmering below the surface than any Democratic strategist would like to admit.
The Democratic National Committee seems to have a real-life “Mean Girls” situation on their hands. Rumors have been free-flowing that Harris’s team felt sabotaged by Team Biden—perhaps not entirely unfounded given Biden’s penchant for foot-in-mouth moments. He managed to shine a light on party discord when he chose a Pennsylvania event on 9/11 to don a Make America Great Again hat. Not the smartest move when vying for liberal votes, yet here we are. His insults toward Trump supporters and the suggestion that Trump should “be locked up” made headlines that galvanized the GOP base while leaving Harris as a pawn in a game played by people in higher positions.
Meanwhile, the whole event showcased a presidency mired in incompetence and dysfunction. Biden’s penchant for gaffe-making and Kamala’s rollercoaster political career have left many to paint a picture of despair for the Democratic base. The awkward dynamic between the two, compounded by Jill Biden’s difficult demeanor, suggested that even the highest reaches of the party are ill-equipped to come off as anything but strained. The whispers of a coup against Joe Biden could hardly lead to more speculation about Jill’s long-standing grievances—a feeling only amplified by this unhappy reunion.
The shadow of Veterans Day seems to have barely darkened the White House, as the first joint appearance of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris quickly turned into a display more fitting for a funeral than a commemoration. The two political allies—if that’s still the right word—stumbled through a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the gravesite of many gallant men and women overshadowed by the apparent icy tension between their presiding figures.
Biden took this historic moment, likely one of their most significant since the election debacle—and we can call it a debacle, because it was—since Kamala Harris was crushed by President-elect Donald J. Trump. White House propaganda claimed that both leaders delivered feel-good speeches about a peaceful transfer of power, while Biden showered Harris with praise for her “inspiring campaign.” Anyone tuning in could have almost mistaken the on-stage goodwill for sincerity, but those who know the inner workings of the Democrats can easily read the frowns hidden beneath their smiles.
This gathering was an odd scene, as Jill Biden’s expression revealed volumes. Viewed through the lens of social media, the first lady’s sour visage contrasted sharply with the radiant demeanor of Kamala Harris, who, despite the recent electoral fiasco, appeared ready to jump for joy. But one has to wonder what sort of shenanigans would bubble to the surface if the cameras weren’t rolling. The general consensus is that there’s more disdain simmering below the surface than any Democratic strategist would like to admit.
The Democratic National Committee seems to have a real-life “Mean Girls” situation on their hands. Rumors have been free-flowing that Harris’s team felt sabotaged by Team Biden—perhaps not entirely unfounded given Biden’s penchant for foot-in-mouth moments. He managed to shine a light on party discord when he chose a Pennsylvania event on 9/11 to don a Make America Great Again hat. Not the smartest move when vying for liberal votes, yet here we are. His insults toward Trump supporters and the suggestion that Trump should “be locked up” made headlines that galvanized the GOP base while leaving Harris as a pawn in a game played by people in higher positions.
Meanwhile, the whole event showcased a presidency mired in incompetence and dysfunction. Biden’s penchant for gaffe-making and Kamala’s rollercoaster political career have left many to paint a picture of despair for the Democratic base. The awkward dynamic between the two, compounded by Jill Biden’s difficult demeanor, suggested that even the highest reaches of the party are ill-equipped to come off as anything but strained. The whispers of a coup against Joe Biden could hardly lead to more speculation about Jill’s long-standing grievances—a feeling only amplified by this unhappy reunion.
As they sat side by side, the message was clear: the fractured nature of today’s Democratic Party is on full display. With Biden’s 2024 bid effectively in jeopardy and Harris’s ambition sidelined, this Veterans Day extravaganza ultimately reflected less of a celebration and more of a dramatic reenactment of a political soap opera. The smiles on stage couldn’t mask the reality—these two are likely more enemies than allies, and amidst their empty rhetoric and stone-faced expressions, it’s safe to say that conservative Americans had the last laugh as the spectacle unfolded.