Vice President Kamala Harris (D) faced backlash late Tuesday afternoon over a word salad moment that she had while delivering remarks in Highland Park, Illinois, following the tragic shooting that took place there on Independence Day.
On Monday, police say a 21-year-old white male opened fire on a parade of people who were celebrating the July 4 holiday, killing seven and wounding more than two dozen. The suspect was apprehended hours later and has been charged on numerous first-degree murder counts.
“We got to take this stuff seriously, as seriously as you are because you have been forced to have take this seriously,” Harris said.
“The whole nation should understand and have a level of empathy to understand that this could happen anywhere [to] any people in any community,” she continued. “And we should stand together and speak out about why it’s got to stop.”
WATCH:
Vice President Kamala Harris just spoke at the scene of the Highland Park mass shooting.
“We have to take this stuff seriously, as seriously as you are because you have been forced to take this seriously,” she said. pic.twitter.com/vpLSydpJM0
— Jake Sheridan (@JakeSheridan_) July 6, 2022
Notable responses to Harris’ remarks included:
- James Woods, actor: “Word Salad Annie.”
- Nan Hayworth, M.D., former congresswoman: “Ms. Harris isn’t a voice for the voiceless, but she does speak for those who have absolutely nothing to say.”
- John Cardillo, political commentator: “She has to have brain damage, right?”
- Greg Price, political commentator: “Our first female VP! Chosen specifically because of her race/gender and literally sucks at this.”
- Edward Ongweso Jr., reporter: “Don’t they have Obama’s speech writers on retainer or something, what’s up?”
- Josh Olson, writer: “Ok, I give up. There ARE some jobs where you shouldn’t be allowed to drink on the clock.”
- Adam Rosen, writer: “Aside from how insane this quote is, no politicians seem to take this seriously, they never do, or else it wouldn’t keep happening, just my thoughts.”
- Jason Mattera, author: “She’s a walking billboard against diversity hires.”
- Whitney McIntosh, editor: “Every new quote of hers makes less and less sense as a complete sentence.”
- Arash Karami, writer: “My expectations for this administration was literally on the floor and they’re not even willing to meet me there.”
- Shay Stewart Bouley, writer: “I’m sorry, but no. Just no.”
- William Goodman, writer: “What the actual f***, man.”