Vice President Kamala Harris faced Republican mockery once more on Friday after making lengthy and repetitive comments regarding the U.S. prisoner swap with Russia.
President Biden and Harris welcomed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine Corps veteran Paul Whelan, and others at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland shortly after midnight, following the safe arrival of the released Americans on U.S. soil. Biden described the swap, the largest in post-Cold War history, as a “feat of diplomacy.”
Harris echoed this sentiment in her remarks on the tarmac, praising the president for his monumental achievement. “This is an extraordinary day, and I am incredibly grateful for our president and all he has accomplished throughout his career, particularly regarding these families and individuals,” she stated.
The 24-person exchange was the result of extensive negotiations involving Washington, D.C., and Moscow, with cooperation from six nations releasing at least one prisoner each, while Turkey hosted the swap in Ankara. Harris noted that the agreement highlights the need for a president who possesses diplomatic experience, albeit expressed somewhat redundantly.
JD VANCE CRITICIZES KAMALA HARRIS’S ‘WORD SALAD’ – ‘SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POWER OF DIPLOMACY’
Vice President Kamala Harris observes as President Biden addresses the media at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (Ken Cedeno/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“This is an extraordinary testament to the vital role of a president who comprehends the power of diplomacy, as well as appreciates the significance of strengthening alliances,” she continued.
Republican critics and conservative commentators quickly seized on her comments as another example of Harris delivering a “word salad” when speaking without a teleprompter.
The rapid response team for former President Trump shared her comments, headlined, “KAMALA — UNSCRIPTED FOR THE FIRST TIME.”
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance mocked her by stating on X, “Kamala sounds like a third-grader summarizing a book she didn’t read.”
Fox News’ Guy Benson remarked, “Get her back on the prompter.”
“She has moved beyond word salad. She’s now producing word slaw,” commented Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro on X.
KAMALA HARRIS HAS NOT HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE SINCE BECOMING PRESUMPTIVE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE
Vice President Kamala Harris welcomes reporter Evan Gershkovich at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland after his release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
This is not the first instance of Harris facing criticism for her unclear spontaneous remarks. She was ridiculed on “The Daily Show” in May for her tendency to be repetitive in her speeches. Comparisons have frequently been made between her and the fictional Vice President Selina Meyer from HBO’s political satire “Veep,” not only because of their vice presidential roles but also due to their similar circular speaking styles.
For example, during an abortion rights rally at Howard University in April 2023, she stated, “It is very important, as you have heard from many extraordinary leaders for us at every moment in time and certainly this one, to recognize the time in which we exist and are present, and to be able to contextualize it, to understand our place in history and in the moment as it relates both to the past and the future.”
9/11 TERRORIST FEARS TRUMP WILL GET ELECTED AND EXECUTE HIM
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris approach Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Paul Whelan at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland following their release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Some Republicans speculated that Harris has been steering clear of unscripted press interactions since becoming the presumed Democratic nominee for president to avoid another viral moment that could negatively impact her campaign.
“Not a single interview, press conference, or unscripted moment since she began her campaign. Why? Here’s why,” remarked Alexander Pantinakis, political director for the Florida GOP, along with a clip of Harris speaking at Joint Base Andrews.
The Harris campaign did not provide a comment when asked why the vice president has not held a press conference in the 12 days since declaring as the presumptive Democratic nominee.
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A Democratic strategist stated to Fox News Digital that Republicans are zeroing in on Harris’s rhetorical missteps because they struggle to criticize the Biden-Harris administration on substantive issues, especially after successfully bringing captive Americans home.
“You can tell they’re not telling the truth about her impactful reaction to this significant accomplishment for America that we should all celebrate, regardless of party. Why? Because their boss, Donald Trump, is too afraid to debate Kamala Harris,” the strategist commented.
A previously planned debate between President Biden and former President Trump was canceled after Biden opted out. So far, the Harris and Trump campaigns have yet to agree on any debate arrangements.
Fox News Digital’s Kristine Parks and Alexander Hall contributed to this report.
