In her first major speech since leaving office, former Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala in San Francisco to deliver a passionate warning about the state of American democracy. Harris condemned what she described as a “man-made economic crisis” fueled by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and disregard for legal boundaries. She urged Americans to resist fear and stand up for democratic values, stating,
“Courage is contagious.”MHarris argued that the nation isn’t descending into chaos, but rather undergoing a fast-moving, deliberate shift that threatens its foundational checks and balances. “We are living in a moment when the checks and balances… have begun to buckle,” she said, calling on everyday citizens to take responsibility for preserving democracy,
The speech drew a strong response online. Supporters praised Harris’s passion and clarity, while critics questioned her tone, delivery, and authenticity. Some viewers found her emotional approach inspiring; others viewed it as off-putting or disjointed.Her speech came just as President Trump appeared in a high-profile interview on ABC, touting his early accomplishments in his return to the White House. He claimed credit for a stronger economy, lower costs, a secure border,
and a nation “back on track.” The timing underscored the stark contrast between Harris’s message of warning and Trump’s message of revival. Adding to the political tension, Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, announced he had been removed from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, criticizing what he called the politicization of historical remembrance.Together, the speech, Trump’s interview, and Emhoff’s statement reflect a deepening divide in the country — with both former and current leaders offering very different visions of where America stands, and where it’s headed next.