President Joe Biden’s simmering frustration over his ousting from the 2024 ticket is reportedly causing major friction with Vice President Kamala Harris, who has stepped into the spotlight as the new Democratic presidential nominee. Biden, who faced mounting pressure to step down after a rough debate with Donald Trump, ultimately conceded his campaign in July, reluctantly endorsing Harris as his successor. Yet, according to insiders, the transition has not been smooth, and Biden’s team is far from over it.
Relations between Biden’s staff and Harris’s team have grown tense, with nearly a dozen sources revealing friction and bruised egos in the White House. An ally of Harris described Biden’s team as “too much in their feelings,” holding onto resentment as Harris’s campaign ramps up. Recently, Biden made an unexpected appearance in the White House press briefing room—a move that overshadowed Harris’s scheduled campaign event in Michigan, sparking speculation that Biden’s team may not be fully aligned with her push for the presidency.
Former President Trump was quick to capitalize on the spectacle, claiming Biden “can’t stand” Harris because “she overthrew him,” though he clarified that it was the Democratic Party, not Harris herself, who initiated the shift. Trump, in an interview with Fox’s Maria Bartiromo, called it a “coup” and noted that Biden now looks more favorable in comparison, suggesting that the rift could play into Republican strategies.
There are also claims that Harris’s team is struggling to secure critical campaign support from White House staff, who allegedly aren’t prioritizing alignment with her messaging. “The White House is lacking someone in the room thinking first and foremost about how things would affect the campaign,” a member of Harris’s campaign commented. Meanwhile, Harris has found herself further isolated following her public critique of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for ignoring her calls about hurricane relief—a jab that Biden countered with praise for DeSantis’s cooperation, presenting a stark contrast that has only added to the campaign’s struggles.
For Biden, the forced exit from his own campaign remains a sore spot. After initially resisting pressure from his party, Biden finally withdrew, endorsing Harris in a tweet on July 21. Yet, despite official statements of unity, insiders suggest Biden’s resentment may linger, casting a shadow over Harris’s path to the White House. As tensions rise, one question looms: can the Democrats overcome internal rifts to present a united front in 2024?
