When Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, formally and strongly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination on behalf of President Joe Biden, other Democrats joined him in supporting him, but no one applauded. The awkward moment became a talking point after the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday.
“President Biden’s selfless decision has given Democrats an opportunity to unite behind a new nominee, and we are truly enthusiastic,” Schumer said at the start of the press conference, asserting that Harris had successfully secured the support of the Democratic nominee and making the bizarre claim that the decision came from the grassroots.
“Vice President Harris has done an absolutely remarkable job quickly of securing the majority of delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination as the next president of the United States, and the vast majority of my senators quickly and enthusiastically endorsed her,” he said, ignoring the fact that actual Democratic voters did not make this decision.
“After a grassroots, bottom-up process, we’re here today to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris,” Schumer declared enthusiastically, clapping his hands before quickly realizing no one was clapping and awkwardly adding, “I’m going to clap. You don’t have to.”
Chuck Schumer had a humiliating moment with Jeb Bush
He says, “We’re here today to support Kamala!”
*Nobody claps*
So he began to clap awkwardly.
Woofpic.twitter.com/uh7Ffqap4d
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) July 23, 2024
A few seconds pass, Schumer gives an awkward laugh, then adds, “Today is a happy day. What can I say?”
Another viral video revealed that this wasn’t the only time Schumer tried to get an audio endorsement during a news conference with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
Pumping his fist, Schumer attempted to promote Harris as the next president of the United States.
“Vice President Harris has secured a majority of the delegates. Today, in Wisconsin and across America, we begin a new chapter, and it will be the greatest chapter yet. Vice President Harris will defeat Donald Trump and become the next president of the United States of America,” Schumer said, before pointing at the audience, shaking his finger and asking, “Any applause?”
When no one clapped, Schumer quickly broke out into a smile and, after a second awkward moment without applause for Harris, asked Jeffries for his turn.
Tough audience, Chuck!
Nobody likes Kamala. pic.twitter.com/it0lukrw7A
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 23, 2024
A YouGov poll conducted the day Biden announced he would not seek reelection found that only 37% thought Harris should be the Democratic nominee, while more than a third, 35%, thought it should be someone else. In the same survey, 60% of Democrats said Harris should be the nominee, while another 40% thought it should be someone else or said they didn’t know. Of that 40%, 21% of Democrats said it should be “someone else” and 19% said they didn’t know.
Watch the full press conference below:
