WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • Kamala Harris received barely any reaction after delivering a confusing motivational quote at a Democratic rally in Columbus, Mississippi.
  • Harris repeated the line after the silence, drawing more of a response from those gathered in the high school gym.
  • She appeared for Democratic Senate hopeful Scott Colom, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.
  • Social media users mocked what they described as Harris’ “new accent” during repeated chants about Mississippi and the election.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris tried to deliver an uplifting message Thursday at a Democratic rally in Columbus, Mississippi, but the moment landed with barely a sound. The event unfolded in a high school gym that was far from full as Harris campaigned for Democratic Senate hopeful Scott Colom.

Harris began by describing the advice she gives young people she mentors. The motivational message quickly became tangled in the kind of winding phrasing that has repeatedly drawn attention to her public appearances.

“You know, I mentor a lot of young people, and I talk to them sometimes, and part of the advice I give them is, you know, never let someone else with limited ability to see your capacity be a limitation on your ambition,” Harris told the crowd.

The line received barely any reaction from those gathered inside the gym. Faced with the silence, Harris decided the solution was to deliver the confusing formulation a second time.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

MORE NEWS: Years of Ilhan Omar’s Records in Question After Her Real Name is Revealed [WATCH]

“Let me repeat that: Never let anybody else’s, somebody else’s limited ability to see your capacity to be a limitation on your ambition,” she said. The repeated version elicited more of a response from the rally attendees.

Harris then continued trying to explain the message. “That’s their limitation. That’s not our limitation. That’s their limitation,” the former vice president said.

The explanation soon gave way to more of the verbal style that has become associated with Harris. She relied on broad language about ambition, possibilities and the future while addressing the Mississippi audience.

“We are not limited in our ambition and desire and ability to see what is possible and what can be,” Harris told the crowd. The remarks followed her unsuccessful attempt to produce applause with the original motivational quote.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Following recent reports that Congress is considering a nationwide voter ID requirement for federal elections, do you support requiring voters to show identification before casting a ballot?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from Objectivist.co, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

The rally was organized to support Colom, a state district attorney who is challenging incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in the midterm elections. Colom acknowledged that inviting Harris, the failed 2024 presidential candidate, to campaign for him had raised eyebrows.

“Why would you do that?” Colom said he was asked about the invitation. He shared that question with the audience before Harris delivered her speech.

Colom’s answer was short and direct. “You know what I told them, ‘Why not?’” the Senate hopeful told the crowd ahead of Harris’ appearance.

The reaction to Harris did not remain limited to the quiet gym. Social media users also focused on what they described as a “new accent” that the former vice president appeared to use during the event in the Deep South.

Close

MORE NEWS: Slotkin Hit With Ethics Complaint as Student Fires Back Over Viral ‘Threat’ [WATCH]

“Kamala Harris just unveiled a new accent at a rally in Mississippi,” read a post from End Wokeness on X. “This might be the worst one yet.”

The post included a video clip showing Harris repeatedly shouting, “Mississippi matters” and “We got 12 days.” Her reference to 12 days concerned the upcoming election.

Talk show host Chris Ripa also weighed in on X after viewing Harris’ performance. “Holy cringe… it’s like nails on a chalkboard,” Ripa wrote. “And what’s with the new accent.”

The rally therefore produced two awkward moments for Harris: a motivational quote that initially drew barely any reaction and an accent that immediately caught attention online. Her decision to repeat the mangled applause line only placed more focus on the words that had already left the crowd cold.

For Colom, the appearance put his high-profile campaign guest squarely at the center of the event. Harris came to Mississippi to help the Democratic Senate hopeful, but her strained quote and repeated slogans became the most noticeable parts of the rally.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.