Kamala Harris sparks backlash over July 4 post — critics slam dark tone and cropped Joe Biden photo
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. pic.twitter.com/pYxJVw0fiD — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 4, 2025
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What are critics saying about her holiday message?
Is Kamala Harris planning a 2028 presidential run?
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris ' Independence Day message did not meet many Americans' expectations. Her somber demeanor and a photo that appeared to crop out President Joe Biden sparked immediate online outrage, political speculation, and criticism from both sides of the aisle.Critics accused her of making the holiday about herself, which fueled speculation about her 2028 plans. Her declining poll numbers and public profile fueled the growing political chatter.'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 wrote on X on Friday."'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.'Users of X quickly pointed out that Harris' promoted image, which featured her and first gentleman Doug Emhoff enjoying a July 2024 Independence Day fireworks display, was framed to easily omit Biden and first wife Jill."It's very symbolic that Kamala cropped Joe out," said Link Lauren, a former senior strategist to the presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who posted another photo from the White House balcony showing the first couple a few feet away, as per a report by The NY Post.Others objected to her holiday statement's menacing tone.Another X user teasingly said, 'Whose elbow is that at the right[?]'A third netizen advised her to "just enjoy the day," while another added, "Among other reasons, this is why you're not President."A fourth remarked, using the vice president's favorite motto, "America is unburdened by what has been."'Feeling grateful we didn't end up with a President who posts 'things are gonna get worse' on the 4th of July,' Kiersten Pels, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, added.According to Mark Simone, presenter of 710 WOR radio, Kamala has established a new record for the worst Fourth of July message ever.Others, however, felt that her use of the word "fight" hinted to her future political aspirations.Mike Davis, the founder of the Article III Project and a Trump supporter, made fun of Kamala by saying, "Don't stop fighting." 'And please run again in 2028.''Don't stop fighting, Kamala,' mocked Article III Project founder and Trump ally Mike Davis.One X user pondered, "She's definitely running in 2028."Kamala Harris' popularity and prospects of winning the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 are deteriorating, according to recent public polling.According to an Emerson College poll, only 13% of respondents would support Harris in the primary, while 16% would support Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary who withdrew from the 2020 Democratic race with only 15 delegates before Super Tuesday.She has received far higher ratings in other polls; in the 2028 primary, 36% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning independent voters supported her, according to a Morning Consult poll, as quoted in a report by The NY Post.Many people found her message too depressing for a national holiday, and they criticized the cropped photo that left out Joe and Jill Biden, calling it symbolic and politically insensitive.Although she has not officially said yes or no, her recent statements and political moves have fueled new speculation. Her future plans are expected to be decided by the end of summer.
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