Jamal Simmons, former communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris, provoked an immediate reaction when he suggested on live television that President Joe Biden should consider stepping aside and allowing Harris to finish his term.
Simmons made the suggestion during a panel discussion on CNN’s “State of the Union” — just days after Harris lost to President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 White House race — prompting quick outbursts from both anchor Dana Bash and Republican commentator Scott Jennings.
WATCH:
WATCH: Harris advisor floats INSANE conspiracy that Joe Biden should resign immediately so that Kamala Harris can spend a few days as our first female president before President Trump takes over. pic.twitter.com/lqyHthXJC3
— Kaelan Dorr (@KDORR_USA) November 10, 2024
“Joe Biden’s been a phenomenal president, he’s lived up to so many of the promises he’s made,” Simmons claimed, and then immediately argued that the one thing Biden hadn’t done yet was provide the promised “transition” to younger leadership. “There’s one promise left that he could fulfill, being a transitional figure. He could resign the presidency in the next 30 days, make Kamala Harris president of the United States —”
“Whoa,” Jennings hit the brakes, and Bash was also quick to respond: “Wow.”
Simmons kept pushing, however, suggesting that Biden should let her take over the presidency in part to prevent her from being forced, as sitting vice president, to preside over Congress when the legislative body certified her electoral defeat.
“It would absolve her from having to oversee the January 6th transition — right? — of her own defeat. And it would make sure, it would dominate the news, at a point where Democrats have to learn drama and transparency and doing things the public want to see — this is the time, this is the moment for us to change the entire perspective of how Democrats operate,” Simmons explained.
Bash did not appear to buy Simmons’ argument, however, saying, “Okay, this has now jumped from an internet meme to a Sunday morning show! Congratulations!”
“Jamal’s out here writing a season of ‘House of Cards!'” Jennings added.
Simmons doubled down after the show ended, sharing his thoughts in an X post in which he argued that if Biden were to step aside for Harris, it would somehow make it easier for the next woman to run for president.
“Joe Biden has been amazing but he should fulfill one last promise — to be transitional. Biden should resign and make Kamala Harris the first woman president. It’d turn tables on Trump, keep Kamala from presiding over Jan 6 make it easier for next woman to run,” he said.