Kamala Harris aides held ‘mock soiree’ to prep her social skills, book reveals dysfunction inside White House.
Aides to Vice President Kamala Harris were reportedly so concerned about her handling of social events that they staged a “mock soiree” in 2022.
The practice event was meant to help her prepare for real-world political gatherings.
This revelation comes from the upcoming book Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.
Additionally, the book also highlights internal dysfunction and tensions between Harris and the Biden administration.
The event, described as a dry run for a DC dinner party, reflected deeper concerns about Harris’ public image and performance.
The aides were so cautious that they even skipped serving wine — just to see how Harris handled holding a glass.
Harris’ team reportedly staged the social event for her
New book exposes Kamala Harris aides staging a mock event to prepare her for high-profile Washington dinner
The soiree simulation took place ahead of a high-profile “salon-style dinner” hosted by media mogul David Bradley.
While, Bradley is known for his ties to the National Journal and The Atlantic.
The actual dinner reportedly went smoothly without any issues.
However, the need for a rehearsal highlighted anxiety among Harris’ staff about her public presence.
Aides wanted to ensure Harris appeared poised and relaxed in elite circles.
According to the book, wine was withheld during the mock event to simulate a realistic yet controlled environment.
Additionally, the scenario paints a picture of a staff hyper-focused on optics, even for relatively casual settings.
Sourcre said “Kamala Harris’s aides frequently managed her image”
Kamala Harris frustrated Biden aides by dodging political assignments
The book describes Vice President Harris as a “regular headache” for President Joe Biden’s inner circle.
Additionally, she frequently avoided politically tough assignments, unlike Biden during his own vice presidency.
Even minor requests, like headlining the Gridiron Club dinner, were rejected, frustrating her colleagues.
“She often shied away from politically tough assignments when Biden had accepted such assignments as vice president,” the authors write. “She even turned down seemingly simple asks, such as headlining DC’s Gridiron Club dinner.”
This hesitation extended into policy roles as well.
Harris was tapped to lead the National Space Council, which the authors describe as “politically safe ground.” Yet she still struggled.
At one point, her team even confused astrology with astronomy. It reflected what some saw as a lack of seriousness in her portfolio.
“Many on the Biden team felt that Harris didn’t put in the work and was also just not a very nice person,” the book reads. “Several quietly expressed buyer’s remorse: They should have picked [Michigan Gov. Gretchen] Whitmer”.
Kamala Harris’s awkward space video and confused aides worsened her public perception
Six months before the mock soiree, Harris released a strange video about space featuring child actors who had auditioned.
As head of the National Space Council, she was expected to lead with confidence but struggled even in “safe” roles.
The book says some aides confused astrology with astronomy, revealing internal chaos and weak policy handling in Harris’s office
After the 2020 election, infighting between the Harris and Biden camps intensified.
Harris’ aides began labeling Biden officials as either helpful or part of a cabal of the unhelpful.
Those in the latter group included Anthony Bernal from the first lady’s office.
Also included was White House deputy chief of staff Jen O’Malley Dillon. Ironically, O’Malley Dillon would later take on a new role.
She went on to chair Harris’ 2024 campaign after Biden dropped out of the presidential race.
The revolving dynamics underscore the persistent tension and distrust that plagued the administration from within.