President Joe Biden’s claim that he would have won the 2024 presidential election had he not dropped out of the race has reportedly caused a strain in his relationship with Vice President Kamala Harris, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The vice president has reportedly conveyed “deep sadness” to individuals close to her over her election loss and Biden’s claims that he could have won reelection, according to the WSJ. After Harris chose not to criticize or distance herself from Biden during her campaign, Biden’s statements show the “one-sided loyalty,” individuals close to Harris told the WSJ.
In January, Biden told USA Today that he believes he could have won the presidential election, stating “it’s presumptuous to say that, but I think yes, based on the polling.” The president has also claimed that Harris “could have beaten [President-elect Donald] Trump, would have beaten Trump,” the WSJ reported.
Kirsten Allen, a spokeswoman for Harris, told the WSJ that Biden and Harris have “developed a close working relationship as governing partners, but they have also built a strong friendship that continues today.”
During her campaign, Harris refrained from speaking ill of Biden, telling reporters before the election that “vice presidents are not critical of their presidents.” In October, Harris told “The View” that “not a thing that comes to mind” after being asked if there was anything that she would have done differently than Biden.
Biden originally ran for reelection on the Democratic ticket before dropping out of the presidential race in July and endorsing Harris as the nominee, largely at the behest of fellow Democrats who urged the president to step down after his June 27 debate against Trump. The now-president-elect had a sweeping election victory against Harris in November, winning the popular vote, electoral vote and all seven swing states.
Following Harris’ election loss, there has been increased speculation surrounding the dynamic between her and the president. In December, the WSJ reported that people familiar with the situation said that Biden still believed that he could have won the election, but did not see that as a critique of Harris’ campaign.
Harris certified Trump’s electoral vote win on Jan 6. in a joint session of Congress. Trump is returning to the Oval Office on Jan. 20.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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