Former Vice President Kamala Harris returned to Los Angeles Monday night for the first hometown stop of her new book tour, offering a spirited defense of her brief 2024 presidential bid while urging Democrats not to lose faith in American democracy.
Speaking before a sold-out crowd of 2,000 at the Wiltern Theater, Harris promoted 107 Days, her memoir chronicling her whirlwind campaign that began after President Biden bowed out just months before Election Day. Harris ultimately lost to former President Donald Trump, who won the electoral college 312 to 226 despite a narrow 1.5% edge in the popular vote.
“I wrote the book for many reasons, but primarily to remind us how unprecedented that election was,” Harris said. She rejected Trump’s claims of a sweeping mandate, emphasizing the race was among the closest in U.S. history.
Harris faced sharp criticism during the campaign for failing to connect with voters on economic concerns. On Monday, she argued Democrats should have prioritized everyday family issues over big-ticket legislation. “I would have done the family piece first,” she said, citing childcare, paid leave, and the child tax credit.
The conversation, moderated by podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan, touched on current events as well. Harris blasted Trump for sharing an AI-generated video mocking Democratic leaders, calling him “unbalanced, incompetent, and unhinged.” She also blamed Republicans for an impending government shutdown, saying Democrats must defend healthcare protections.
While Harris steered clear of some controversial revelations in her book—including her decision not to tap Pete Buttigieg as a running mate—she did lament what she called the “capitulation” of civic and corporate leaders to Trump. “I have been disappointed, deeply disappointed, by people who are powerful who are bending the knee at the foot of this tyrant,” she said.
Tickets for the Wiltern event fetched hundreds or even thousands on resale markets. The stop is part of a lucrative nationwide and overseas tour, with a second Los Angeles date added for Oct. 28.
Despite her defeat, Harris framed her memoir and tour as part of a larger mission: to restore faith in institutions and rally Democrats for the future.
