Vice President Kamala Harris is facing intense criticism for attending a star-studded Hollywood fundraiser while communities in the southeastern United States are grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The vice president’s decision to socialize with celebrities, including Demi Lovato and Jessica Alba, at a posh Los Angeles event has sparked outrage, especially as the death toll from the hurricane surpasses 130 and hundreds remain unaccounted for.
One of the most vocal critics of Harris’ actions has been conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, who lambasted the vice president on her show. “Last night, well into the devastation, the loss of life—men, women, children, pets—Kamala Harris attended an L.A. fundraiser,” Kelly said, her voice laden with disbelief. “The devastation was ongoing. How dare she!”
The criticism stems from the timing of Harris’ attendance at the event, which occurred on Sunday afternoon as rescue efforts continued in the southeastern states ravaged by the storm.
Hurricane Helene has left widespread destruction in its wake, with North Carolina and Georgia particularly hard hit. Survivors are still being rescued, and the full extent of the damage has yet to be assessed.
The Hollywood fundraiser that Harris attended was a high-profile affair, featuring an array of A-list celebrities and industry executives. According to reports, the lavish event included a menu boasting Beef Wellington, lobster rolls, and duck egg rolls.
Attendees included musicians Alanis Morissette and Stevie Wonder, as well as actors like Lily Tomlin and executives such as former Disney chief Jeffrey Katzenberg, one of Harris’ top fundraisers. Universal boss Donna Langley was also among the guests.
While Harris enjoyed the company of Hollywood’s elite, the storm-ravaged southeast continued to suffer. Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for, and the hurricane has been described as one of the worst natural disasters to strike the region in decades.
In western North Carolina and parts of Georgia, entire communities have been devastated by flooding and structural collapse. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and the region faces a long road to recovery.
Former President Donald Trump, who has been actively campaigning during the 2024 election cycle, wasted no time in offering relief.
On Monday, Trump traveled to Georgia to personally deliver truckloads of supplies and gasoline to areas impacted by the storm. His hands-on approach drew attention and was seen by many as a stark contrast to Harris’ attendance at the Hollywood fundraiser.
In response to mounting criticism, Harris cut short her fundraising tour and returned to Washington, D.C., on Monday. However, the damage to her political image may already be done.
The delayed response to the natural disaster has become a significant embarrassment for her presidential campaign, which is already facing challenges in the final weeks leading up to the election.
The incident has amplified concerns that Harris may not be equipped to handle the pressures of the presidency.
As the vice president faced the media on Monday, her attempt to shift focus back to the crisis fell flat. During a photo-op at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Harris posed for the cameras but took no questions from reporters.
Instead, she smiled and remained silent as photographers snapped images of her sitting in front of FEMA’s Washington headquarters. The appearance did little to quell the criticism she has been facing for her perceived lack of urgency in responding to the hurricane.
Political analysts have noted that this misstep could have serious implications for Harris’ presidential bid. As one of the leading Democratic candidates for the 2024 election, Harris has struggled to shake off accusations that she lacks leadership skills.
The optics of her attending a Hollywood event while parts of the country face devastation have only fueled these criticisms. The timing of her decision to fundraise rather than address the growing crisis has become a focal point for her opponents.
Meanwhile, the hurricane’s death toll continues to rise, and emergency workers are racing against the clock to reach those stranded by the floodwaters and collapsed infrastructure.
The full scope of the disaster is only now becoming clear, with many areas still inaccessible. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and businesses have been lost, leaving entire communities displaced and without power.
The federal government, along with state and local officials, is working to coordinate relief efforts, but the recovery process is expected to take months, if not years.
As the nation watches the recovery efforts unfold, Kamala Harris’ actions in the midst of this crisis have left a lasting impression on the public.
Critics like Megyn Kelly argue that the vice president has shown poor judgment by prioritizing fundraising over responding to a national emergency.
Others point out that her decision to return to Washington after the backlash suggests she recognizes the gravity of her miscalculation.
With the 2024 election fast approaching, Harris faces an uphill battle to regain the public’s trust.
In an election season already marked by intense scrutiny, the fallout from her handling of Hurricane Helene’s aftermath may prove to be a significant turning point in her campaign.
Whether she can recover from this blunder remains to be seen, but the political damage has already been done.
