Vice President Kamala Harris talked down to pro-Palestine protesters during a Wednesday campaign rally.
During the Michigan event with newly selected running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris warned voters that former President Donald Trump planned to implement the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 if re-elected this November.
As Harris spoke, pro-Palestinian protesters in the crowd chanted: “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide. We won’t vote for genocide.”
Harris paused briefly and smiled before saying, "It's all good."
"I'm here because we believe in democracy," she said, motioning towards protesters. "Everyone's voice matters, but I am speaking now."
The vice president then warned voters of Project 2025's implementation and claimed Trump "intends to give tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations."
"He intends to cut social security and Medicare," she continued over the chanting of protesters. "He intends to surrender our fight against the climate crisis, and he intends to end the Affordable Care Act." Pro-Palestine protesters chant: “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide. We won’t vote for genocide.”
Kamala Harris responds: “You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking” pic.twitter.com/AxXNwNKlIW
— ALX (@alx) August 8, 2024
Harris then halted her speech to address the protesters again.
“You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking," Harris said, prompting the Michigan crowd to erupt with applause.
The vice president paused as the crowd cheered.
Harris' response to protesters was met with a mixed reception online.
"VP Harris and Gov. Walz are not on a victory tour, they’re on a job interview," activist and Democratic Socialist Nina Turner said. "Being condescending to protesters who represent over 100k votes in a crucial swing state is like being condescending to a hiring manager in a job interview." VP Harris and Gov. Walz are not on a victory tour, they’re on a job interview.
Being condescending to protesters who represent over 100k votes in a crucial swing state is like being condescending to a hiring manager in a job interview. https://t.co/I7RJaQ8aW0
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) August 8, 2024
Lol horrible response. Proves she doesn’t know how to act off teleprompter https://t.co/Tk2GXRO765
— Nuance Bro (@NuanceBro) August 8, 2024
"She treats everyone like they’re inferior," wrote another user.
Others favorably interpreted Harris' remark.
"Such an EPIC response!" wrote commentator Ed Krassenstein. Such an EPIC response!
At the Kamala Harris rally in Detroit, anti-Israel protesters started to chant "Kamala, Kamala, you can't hide, we won't vote for genocide."
Harris responds with, "You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise I'm speaking." pic.twitter.com/lDZLs7sfEs
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) August 8, 2024
"THAT'S MY PRESIDENT," wrote game developer and activist Brianna Wu. THAT'S MY PRESIDENT https://t.co/gjNesfgJ2i
— Brianna Wu (@BriannaWu) August 8, 2024
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article did not include comments from Nina Turner.
