Over the weekend, outgoing President Joe Biden hosted what was billed as an “emotional” farewell dinner at the White House. While Democrats scrambled to put on a brave face after their crushing defeat, one key figure was notably absent: Vice President Kamala Harris. Her no-show wasn’t exactly a shocker to anyone paying attention. Reports of the duo’s rocky relationship behind closed doors had circulated long before Election Day. Adding fuel to the fire, Harris was reportedly holed up in Hawaii on a weeklong retreat with her husband, Doug Emhoff, likely licking her wounds after presiding over the shortest—and arguably most disastrous—presidential campaign in modern history.
In Harris’s stead, her chosen VP candidate, Tim Walz, made an appearance alongside his wife, as if that was enough to fill the glaring void. Harris’s conspicuous absence left many wondering if she’s planning to lie low until Democrats collectively forget the electoral humiliation. The former vice president has managed to alienate both her party’s base and moderate voters, and now it seems she’s taking a well-timed tropical escape to avoid facing the fallout. Meanwhile, back at the White House, Jill Biden made sure the spotlight stayed firmly on her husband. Between dabbing at his tears and waxing poetic about his decades-long career, Mrs. Biden delivered an impassioned toast, calling Joe her “husband and hero.” A hero? Sure, if we’re defining heroism as limping out of office on the heels of a stunning Republican victory.
Biden himself tried to lighten the mood during his speech, humorously advising guests not to jump into the pool. But even his attempts at levity couldn’t mask the elephant in the room: Donald Trump’s landslide victory has left Democratic circles in utter disarray. The mood at the dinner oscillated between forced optimism and barely concealed despair. As the party faithful grappled with their defeat, some, like Kamala Harris’s stepdaughter, openly acknowledged the emotional meltdown consuming their ranks.
What stood out most was the sheer effort to put a positive spin on what can only be described as a catastrophic political chapter for the Democratic Party. Harris’s retreat to Hawaii may seem tone-deaf to some, but it’s likely a strategic move to avoid answering tough questions about what went so horribly wrong. The Democrats are left picking up the pieces, while Biden’s farewell party felt more like a requiem for a failed administration than a celebration of a job well done.
As Biden wrapped up his speech and the evening drew to a close, the event served as a stark reminder of the administration’s legacy: lofty promises, internal dysfunction, and a resounding rejection by the American electorate. While Harris bides her time in the shadows and Biden enjoys his final moments in the spotlight, Republicans are left with the spoils of victory and a clear mandate for the future. For Democrats, the road ahead looks anything but sunny, and no Hawaiian vacation will change that.
