Kamala Harris managed to turn a celebration of American freedom into a somber sermon on struggle. The former vice president posted a disheartening message on the Fourth of July, paired with a photo that conspicuously left out her old running mate, Joe Biden.
According to the New York Post, Harris shared her thoughts on X, warning that things are tough and likely to worsen before improving. Her words, coupled with a carefully framed image, sparked immediate criticism from observers across the political spectrum.
The photo, taken during last year’s Independence Day fireworks at the White House, shows Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, watching the display. Notably absent from the frame are Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who were just feet away in the original shot.
“Kamala cropping Joe out is very symbolic,” remarked Link Lauren, a former senior adviser to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign. While one might argue it’s just a photo, the optics of erasing Biden suggest a deeper rift or a calculated move to distance herself from past associations.
X users didn’t hold back, with one sarcastically asking whose elbow was peeking into the frame on the right. The implication is clear: Harris’s attempt to rewrite the visual narrative isn’t fooling anyone who remembers the full picture.
Critics also zeroed in on the tone of her holiday message, which felt more like a dirge than a tribute to American resilience. “Things are hard right now. They are probably going to get worse before they get better,” Harris wrote, casting a shadow over a day meant for unity and pride.
“Feeling grateful we didn’t end up with a President who posts ‘things are gonna get worse’ on the 4th of July,” quipped Kiersten Pels, a Republican National Committee spokeswoman. It’s hard to disagree—Independence Day should lift spirits, not dampen them with forecasts of doom.
Others piled on, with one X user bluntly stating, “Among other reasons, this is why you’re not President.” The progressive penchant for grievance over gratitude seems to miss the mark on a day celebrating the nation’s founding ideals.
Radio host Mark Simone didn’t mince words either, claiming Harris set a “new record for the worst 4th of July message ever.” When even casual observers urge her to “just enjoy the day,” you know the messaging has gone awry.
Some interpreted Harris’s use of “fight” in her post as a hint at future plans. “She’s definitely running in 2028,” speculated one X user, while Trump ally Mike Davis mockingly encouraged her to keep battling and run again.
Harris has kept a low profile since her significant loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 election, where all seven swing states swung Republican after Biden exited the race. Her sparse appearances, like a peculiar keynote in April criticizing Trump’s policies without naming him, only fuel questions about her next steps.
Polling data paints a mixed picture of her political future, with an Emerson College survey showing just 13% of Democrats backing her for a 2028 primary. A Morning Consult poll, however, pegged support at 36% among Democratic-leaning voters earlier this year.
Even among so-called policy influencers, enthusiasm for Harris taking a shot at California’s governorship next year is tepid, with 36% expressing disinterest per a Politico and UC Berkeley survey. Numbers like these suggest her political capital is shrinking faster than expected.
Insiders told Politico that Harris will decide on her next move by the end of this summer. Whether it’s another national run or a state-level bid, her recent missteps—like this Fourth of July fiasco—aren’t helping her case.
From cropping out Biden to casting a pall over a national holiday, Harris’s latest actions reflect a disconnect that even her supporters might struggle to defend. While her intent may have been to inspire, the execution only underscores why many Americans remain skeptical of progressive leadership’s tone and priorities.
