Kamala Harris shocked by election defeat to Donald Trump

In the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris expressed disbelief over her loss to Donald Trump. Harris, who had taken over the Democratic ticket after Joe Biden withdrew, was reportedly under the impression that she had considerable support and would win the election. On November 5, 2024, Harris found herself at a loss for words as the election results were announced, asking her aides if they had actually lost and about the possibility of a recount. Author Amie Parnes, in her book 'Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House,' details the chaotic environment surrounding Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Both were shocked by the election results and believed they had a solid chance of securing victory. Discussions after the election revealed differing perspectives among Harris's friends regarding her potential for success, with some suggesting that more time might have improved her chances while others pointed to a lack of substance in her campaign. The book reveals that despite her initial confidence, Harris felt a perceived absence of support from influential figures like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi. She reportedly expected more engagement from Obama and was disheartened by his delayed endorsement. These sentiments contributed to her disillusionment as the election neared its conclusion. In retrospect, the book highlights numerous missteps in the Harris campaign, with some advisors feeling she lacked the necessary appeal to win the election. This inadequacy in her campaign strategies led to substantial concern about her viability as a candidate moving forward. Parnes and her co-author Jonathan Allen emphasize that while Harris thought she had the energy and enthusiasm behind her, the actual support may not have been as robust as she believed, leaving her and the campaign team astonished and disappointed by the outcome.