Jill Biden offered effusive praise for Vice President Kamala Harris when she introduced her at a reception, even embracing the vice president to demonstrate unity and appreciation after her failed presidential campaign.
Speaking at a Democratic National Committee event, the First Lady said: ‘Our party chooses leaders who have integrity like Joe and Kamala, people who lead with compassion and decency, people who fight so that everyone in our country can get a fair shot.’
But video of the first lady’s hug triggered a skeptical response from viewers on social media who pointed out that all may not be well in Washington, DC between the two couples and their long history together.
‘Jill Biden will only hug Kamala again to stab her in the back. These 2 women loathe each other,’ one observer commented on X.com.
‘Kamala tried making eye contact with Jill after the hug, Jill was having none of it, lol,’ wrote another user.
‘Yeah Jill’s move off to the side immediately looking away while Kamala kept looking for eye contact was very telling,’ another user remarked.
Others on social media found it ironic that Jill Biden was praising the ‘integrity’ of her husband and the party’s decision to force him out of his reelection campaign and install Harris.
They cited President Biden pardoning his son Hunter despite repeatedly promising Americans prior to the election that he would not, and the rapid ascension of Harris to the 2024 Democratic nomination.
‘Jill Biden claims the Democrats “choose” leaders with integrity – yet Kamala Harris gets pushed to the top with zero qualifications, and Joe Biden’s promise not to pardon Hunter seems about as solid as his campaign promises,’ wrote one user on X.
‘If integrity means constant cover-ups and lies, the Bidens are surely the gold medalists,’ the post continued. ‘So, how exactly does this match their definition of “integrity”?’
Others pointed out the irony that Harris was never selected by Democrats as a presidential candidate, but effectively selected as Biden’s successor without a party primary.
‘Everyone in our country gets a fair shot. Unless you are in the Democratic party and running for President. Only the top donors give you options,’ one person wrote on X.com.
‘She’s correct in a sense, the Party chooses, not the voters,’ said another X user said.
The First Lady also praised Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff for being a partner during tough times in the administration.
‘I really admire you Doug for how you stood up for what you believed in and you went all over the country and grew into the role,’ she said.
Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff have a warm relationship as fellow spouses in the political system.
‘You’ve been a good partner to Kamala but you’ve also been a good partner to me, and I really appreciate that,’ she said.
She referred to reports of the pair exercising at Soul Cycle together, confirming their joint passion for the program.
‘We have a really good time cycling together, so I’m going to miss that,’ she said.
The First Lady also noted that ‘politics has always been Joe’s arena not mine,’ and added, ‘We do a lot for the people we love, right Doug?’
Jill Biden praised Harris as ‘her mother’s daughter’ recalling that she was the first one to ask Harris what she was going to do about acting to change things she was angry about.
‘Kamala you answered your mother’s question, becoming the first woman ever to serve as vice president, being Joe’s true and trusted partner,’ she added.
President Joe Biden also praised his vice president, even though she lost against Trump in the 2024 election.
‘She always served this country with purpose and integrity, and she always will,’ he said. “And you’re not going anywhere, kid — because we’re not going to let you go.’
The warm remarks from the Bidens to Harris took place after they pointedly ignored Harris and Emhoff when they were announced earlier this month at the Kennedy Center honors awards.
Both Joe and Jill Biden did not even look in the direction of the second couple and refused to shake their hands, give them hugs or in any way acknowledge their presence when they arrived to sit next to them.
But any notion of a snub was put aside as both couples tried to emphasize to Democrats in the room their closeness and appreciation for each other.
Harris thanked supporters and donors present at the party and extended warm praise toward the first lady during her remarks.
‘I’ll say something about Jill Biden, something that probably most of you know, she’s a tough cookie that cares so deeply,’ Harris said.
‘Jill, it’s been an extraordinary experience to work with you and our friendship is life long as you know, and I love you, thank you,’ she concluded.