Vice President Kamala Harris is under fire for attending a star-studded Hollywood fundraiser while millions grapple with the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The deadly storm, which caused severe damage across the Southeast, left many questioning Harris' priorities as she mingled with Hollywood elites in Los Angeles.
The high-profile event, held at the JW Marriott in downtown LA, raised more than $28 million for Harris’ campaign. Attendees included celebrities such as Demi Lovato, Stevie Wonder, Jessica Alba, and former Disney CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. Harris, addressing the crowd, said, “Oh, it’s good to be home!”—a statement that sparked widespread backlash, as many felt it showed a disconnect from the suffering caused by the hurricane.
And this is with her using a teleprompter throughout the interview 😵💫
_____
Kamala thought she’d hang w/ Oprah & other celebs, shoot the breeze & giggle her way through softballs.
But she panicked & we got this trainwreck.
Even Oprah was like WTF.
She’s a total mess. pic.twitter.com/nDDNDtFN2u
— I am @sheeplovelies (@Imsheeplovelies) September 22, 2024
While Harris was fundraising, her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, was in Georgia, assisting with relief efforts. Trump took to Truth Social to highlight the stark contrast between their responses, stating, "We are now heading to Valdosta, Georgia, to pay my respects and bring lots of relief material, including fuel, equipment, and water." His actions played well with many conservative voters, who viewed his on-the-ground assistance as more empathetic than Harris' glitzy affair.
Criticism of Harris has spread across social media, with many pointing out the timing of the fundraiser just days after Helene tore through parts of Florida and Georgia. Trump supporters have seized on the event, labeling Harris as out of touch with ordinary Americans.
🚨KAMALA'S WORST NIGHTMARE:
Another video was just sent to me from the ground in Arizona where hundreds of new college students ravenously packed their campus’ quad to register to vote for Trump in November
Trump is winning the youth vote.@TPAction_ bringing that energy⚡️ pic.twitter.com/CNJAt5Uhwl
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 3, 2024
Trump’s campaign continues to hammer home the message that while Harris parties with Hollywood’s elite, millions of Americans are struggling to recover from one of the worst storms in recent memory.
This latest controversy adds fuel to a contentious election season, where both candidates are trying to appeal to a divided nation. The response to natural disasters, like Hurricane Helene, often shapes public perception, and Harris’ decision to attend the fundraiser rather than visit affected areas could prove damaging to her campaign. For her part, Harris has defended the fundraiser as a necessary event to support her campaign efforts, but the optics have led to negative headlines nonetheless.
As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of Helene, both Trump and Harris are positioning themselves as the leaders who can best handle crises. For Trump, this meant being present and helping those affected, while Harris opted to secure more financial support for her presidential run, a choice that has left her vulnerable to criticism from opponents and pundits alike.
The contrasting responses to Hurricane Helene have drawn sharp lines between the two candidates, further escalating the already heated political climate. Harris' supporters argue that fundraising is essential to keeping her campaign competitive, but critics see her absence from the disaster zone as a missed opportunity to show leadership in a time of crisis.
