Teamsters President Sean O’Brien recently expressed his frustrations about a past meeting with then-President Kamala Harris, suggesting that she exerted pressure on his union for support. This occurred during a conversation with Bari Weiss on a podcast that discusses the working class in America amid changing political dynamics.
O’Brien recounted an uncomfortable moment from a photo opportunity when Harris confronted him directly. He shared, “Joan goes to the line and introduces herself as Joan Corey, Vice President of the Teamsters Union.” He recalled Harris pointing at Joan, implying that the Teamsters should jump on board with her candidacy, to which Joan responded with confusion. O’Brien found this interaction brazen and absurd at the time.
He has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Democrats in the past and noted that during a meeting with the union’s executive committee—where they had prepared 16 questions—Harris managed to address only four. O’Brien quoted his chief of staff, who discreetly indicated that she was no longer responding to questions after the fourth one.
O’Brien remarked, “It was like a self-righteous answer.” He later elaborated on how many union leaders felt alienated by Harris’s demeanor and attitude during the meeting, saying, “You can sense it from far away.” This response reflected a deeper disappointment within the union about the lack of engagement from Harris.
The Teamsters ultimately decided not to back her candidacy in the upcoming presidential election cycle, a choice that sparked significant backlash. O’Brien mentioned how, after announcing their decision, he faced online criticism from various sources, including some surprising critics within the Democratic Party. “When I spoke with you at the RNC, I wasn’t expecting that,” he noted, suggesting a breakdown in expected support from his political allies.
So far, Harris has not responded to requests for comments regarding these allegations.
