California Sen. Kamala Harris (D) is taking heat after a progressive health care activist shared a video of the 2020 presidential candidate laughing at an audience member referring to President Donald Trump's actions as "mentally retarded." Instead of correcting the man and condemning the use of the word "retarded," Harris agreed with what was said. "Well said, well said," she replied.
During a rally, a voter referred to Trump's actions as "mentally retarded", prompting @KamalaHarris to laugh and say, "well said, well said."
— Kendally Brown (@kendallybrown) September 7, 2019
I hate amplifying content I know the right will seize on and twist for their own hypocritical gain, but this hurts my heart. #CripTheVote pic.twitter.com/aVQWtLFw30
The health care activist, Kendally Brown, explained how Harris betrayed the disability community.
Using "retarded" as a slur and an insult is never, EVER "well said", @KamalaHarris, no matter who it's against and no matter the larger point being made. It's ALWAYS a betrayal of the disability community.
— Kendally Brown (@kendallybrown) September 7, 2019
We need—and expect—better from you. #CripTheVote https://t.co/XCQmlcmPG3
CBS News political reporter Caitlin Huey Burns asked Harris about the encounter. And, naturally, Harris quickly backtracked.
"It's an incredibly offensive term. And as someone who has a long standing relationship of advocacy for our disability community – in fact, I have a whole proposal of policies that I have been working on for some time and we rolled out weeks ago," Harris told the reporter. "It's offensive, and you would think that in the year 2019, people would have a much better understanding how hurtful a term like that can be – but also the history behind it, which is the history of really ignoring the needs and the realities and the capacity of our disabilities community."
I just asked @KamalaHarris about someone at her event yesterday calling President Trump “mentally retarded.” She told me: “It’s an incredibly offensive term” and she does not condone it, noting her disabilities plan.
— Caitlin Huey-Burns (@CHueyBurns) September 7, 2019
@KamalaHarris told me that “in the year 2019, people should know it’s hurtful.” She said she did not hear him use the term.
— Caitlin Huey-Burns (@CHueyBurns) September 7, 2019
Posting video soon. Here is our exchange: pic.twitter.com/1VegOapc54
— Caitlin Huey-Burns (@CHueyBurns) September 7, 2019
The most interesting part though, is Harris claimed she didn't hear the man.
"I heard him talk about the other stuff. And then that came later. And it was not something that I really heard or processed," Harris told the reporter.
I noted to Harris that she did not correct the man who used the term. Did she hear him? “I heard him talk about the other stuff. And then that came later. And it was not something that I really heard or processed.”
— Caitlin Huey-Burns (@CHueyBurns) September 7, 2019
In the moment, Kamala probably thought it was a great idea to laugh and shrug off what the man in the audience said. Now she's apologetic because she was called out by someone on her own side. She's alienated people who might have otherwise supported her. If she didn't actually hear the guy like she said, she would have said that from the get go. The reporter wouldn't have had to ask her about it again. Not to mention it's hard to believe she didn't hear what was said. The entire audience laughed and agreed with the guy.
But keep on pandering, Kamala.