Vice President Kamala Harris experienced an awkward moment during a formal ceremony.
According to Fox News, Vice President Kamala Harris mistakenly misquoted the Pledge of Allegiance at the U.S. Senate's swearing-in ceremony, inciting significant backlash on social media.
The incident took place on Friday as Vice President Harris was leading the Pledge of Allegiance during the inauguration of senators for the 119th Congress. She began incorrectly, stating "I pledge allegiance to the United States," before pausing and subsequently resuming the pledge accurately with the rest of the participants.
This slip-up was quickly captured and disseminated across various social media outlets, particularly on X, where it caught the attention of many users and commentators. Notably, personalities from the political and entertainment spheres voiced their opinions shortly after the event.
Remarks ranged from criticism to ridicule, pointing out the mistake as either a significant lapse or a humorous error. Among those commenting were Clay Travis from Outkick.com, conservative comedian Terrence K. Williams, and several others.
Clay Travis noted, "Kamala Harris just screwed up the pledge."
Reactions from other prominent social media figures were swift and sharp. Johnny Maga highlighted the incident as a major blunder on the Senate floor, emphasizing the embarrassment he felt it brought upon the country.
Johnny Maga articulated his surprise and criticism by saying, "HOLY SMOKES. Kamala just screwed up the pledge of allegiance on the Senate floor. What an embarrassment to this country. Tens of millions of Democrats voted for this woman to be president just weeks ago…"
Other commentators like Mike Engleman and Collin Rugg also chimed in, underscoring their views on the Vice President's capability and attention to pivotal national symbols.
While some found humor in the incident, labeling it as a minor verbal mishap, others expressed deeper concerns regarding the implications for an elected official at such a high level. Terrence K. Williams questioned the Vice President's familiarity with a core American pledge.
Terrence K. Williams commented, "Kamala Harris doesn't know the Pledge Of Allegiance. This woman really wanted to be President! It’s actually an embarrassing that the Vice President doesn’t know the Pledge of Allegiance."
Amidst the flurry of reactions, the account known as Libs of TikTok took the opportunity to contrast Vice President Harris’s error with political opposition, expressing relief over the outcomes of recent political events.
With opinions divided, the discussion surrounding Vice President Harris's mistake brings to light the significant scrutiny public figures face over lapses during formal protocols. Whether viewed as a simple mistake or as indicative of deeper issues, it underscores the high expectations and the intense spotlight under which political leaders operate.
After the incident, the ceremony continued without further disturbances, and Vice President Harris completed her role in the proceedings. The senators were sworn in, and the session progressed as planned, but the moment lived on in social discussions and media commentaries. The encounter underscores the unforgiving nature of political discourse in the digital age, where every slip is observed, analyzed, and debated across countless platforms.