'Detached from reality': Harris campaign staffers blast post-election 'happy talk'

After Donald Trump's decisive victory in the United States' 2024 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris gave a concession speech that her admirers praised as dignified and hopeful.

But according to Axios' Alex Thompson and the Daily Beast's David Gardner, some Harris campaign staffers had a problem with the speech's, at times, upbeat tone — especially in light of Trump's threat to target his enemies for retaliation.

One of those staffers, quoted anonymously, told Axios, "It was detached from the reality of what happened. We are told the fate of democracy is at stake, and then the message was, 'We'll get them next time.'"

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During a conference call, Harris told staffers, "Yeah, this sucks…. We all just speak truth, why don't we, right? There's also so much good that has come of this (campaign)."

But some Harris staffers, according to Gardner, resented Harris' "happy talk" following Trump's victory.

Another Harris staffer, also quoted anonymously, told Axios, "People are depressed and frustrated about the overconfident leadership of the campaign."

Someone who worked on President Joe Biden's reelection campaign before he exited the race told Axios, "How did you spend $1 billion and not win? What the f***?"

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Read Axios' full report at this link and the Daily Beast's coverage here (subscription required).