From 'Joy' to 'Fascist': Harris' Changing View on Trump

Oct. 24, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Politics

From 'Joy' to 'Fascist': Harris' Changing View on Trump

Over the past few years, the political landscape in the United States has been dominated by the divisive figure of Donald Trump. Trump's rise to power in 2016 and his subsequent presidency sparked a wide range of reactions from politicians, commentators, and the public. One individual whose views on Trump have undergone a significant transformation is Vice President Kamala Harris.

Harris, a former Senator from California, has had a complex relationship with Trump that has evolved dramatically over time. In the early days of Trump's presidency, Harris was outspoken in her criticism of the new administration, frequently denouncing Trump's policies and rhetoric. However, as Trump's tenure unfolded, Harris's opinions on the President began to shift, leading to a surprising moment of praise for Trump's handling of a particular issue.

In the early stages of Trump's presidency, Harris was a vocal critic of the President. As a progressive Democrat, Harris frequently clashed with Trump over issues such as healthcare, immigration, and women's rights. Harris was particularly critical of Trump's controversial travel ban, which targeted predominantly Muslim countries. She condemned the policy as discriminatory and un-American, calling it a "Muslim ban" and arguing that it undermined the values of inclusivity and tolerance that America stands for.

Harris also took issue with Trump's approach to healthcare, particularly his efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As a champion of healthcare reform, Harris fought vehemently against Trump's attempts to dismantle the ACA, warning that millions of Americans would lose access to healthcare if Trump succeeded in his efforts. Harris argued that Trump's policies would disproportionately harm the most vulnerable members of society, including low-income individuals and those with preexisting conditions.

Furthermore, Harris criticized Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing the President of downplaying the severity of the crisis and failing to take decisive action to combat the spread of the virus. Harris argued that Trump's lack of leadership had contributed to the high death toll and economic devastation caused by the pandemic, painting Trump as incompetent and out of touch with the needs of the American people.

Despite her fierce opposition to Trump, Harris surprised many with a rare moment of praise for the President in 2018. Following Trump's decision to sign the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill, Harris applauded Trump for taking a positive step towards addressing the issue of mass incarceration in the United States. Harris acknowledged that the bill represented a significant achievement and expressed hope that it would lead to further reforms in the criminal justice system.

However, this moment of bipartisanship was short-lived, as Harris quickly reverted to her critical stance towards Trump in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election. Throughout the campaign, Harris was a vocal supporter of Joe Biden, Trump's Democratic rival, and frequently attacked Trump's record on healthcare, immigration, and racial justice. Harris portrayed Trump as a divisive and dangerous figure, warning that his re-election would further exacerbate the divisions plaguing American society.

In the aftermath of the 2020 election, which saw Joe Biden defeat Trump and become the 46th President of the United States, Harris assumed the role of Vice President. Since taking office, Harris has continued to distance herself from Trump, working closely with President Biden to implement a progressive agenda focused on issues such as climate change, racial equity, and healthcare reform. Harris has made it clear that she has no intention of reverting to the conciliatory tone she briefly adopted towards Trump in 2018, emphasizing the need for decisive action to address the challenges facing the country.

Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how Harris' evolving views on Trump will shape her political career in the years to come. As Vice President, Harris wields significant influence and has the potential to shape the direction of the Biden administration's policies. Whether Harris will continue to confront Trump's legacy or seek common ground with his supporters remains an open question, but one thing is clear: Harris' changing view on Trump reflects the broader shifts in American politics and the ongoing struggle to bridge the deep divides that have come to define the nation.