Former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed strong criticism towards CNN anchor Anderson Cooper after their interview in 2024, as detailed in a new book.
In the book titled Original Sin, written by CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson, it is reported that Harris referred to Cooper as a “motherf—–” in discussions with her colleagues last summer, following a difficult exchange concerning former President Biden’s debate performance against then-Republican candidate Donald Trump.
“This motherf—– doesn’t treat me like the damn vice president of the United States,” she reportedly told her colleagues, according to the excerpt. Harris is also said to have remarked, “I thought we were better than that.”
The book by Tapper and Thompson provides a glimpse into Harris’ feelings after her challenging interview with Anderson Cooper in June, during which he questioned her about President Biden’s lackluster performance in his debate against Donald Trump.
Cooper was direct in his remarks during the discussion, highlighting that even certain Democratic legislators had voiced apprehension regarding Biden’s performance.
“One described it as a disaster while another referred to it as a trainwreck. These are Democrats who are particularly concerned that Biden failed to counter Trump’s falsehoods,” he stated.
She replied, “While individuals may argue over stylistic elements, in the end, this election and the identity of the president of the United States must focus on substance.”
Cooper interrupted her and promptly inquired, “You debated against then-Vice President Biden four years ago, and he presented as a markedly different individual on stage during that debate. That is certainly accurate, is it not?”
However, Harris refuted Cooper’s assertion that Biden’s mental decline had been publicly evident. “I understand the point you are making regarding a one-and-a-half hour debate this evening,” Harris remarked. “I am referring to three-and-a-half years of performance in a role that has been historic.”
Harris then appeared visibly exasperated with Cooper’s inquiries and the suggestion that Biden’s mental faculties were impaired. When questioned whether the individual on the debate stage was the same person she had collaborated with in the White House, she retorted, “I will not spend the entire night discussing the last 90 minutes when I have been observing the last three-and-a-half years of performance.”
The disclosures regarding Biden’s declining health during his tenure have drawn attention to the statements made by the leaders of his administration at that time.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary of the White House, was one of the most outspoken officials advocating for Biden’s physical and mental resilience. She previously refuted claims that the former president was experiencing cognitive decline or other health issues as early as 2022.
In June 2022, Jean-Pierre appeared taken aback when then-CNN anchor Don Lemon inquired whether Biden would possess the “stamina” to fulfill a second term.
“That is not a question we should even be considering,” she remarked, subsequently stating that the allegations regarding Biden’s diminishing cognitive abilities were merely “hearsay.”
“Don, you are the one posing this question. Oh my goodness. He is the President of the United States… just observe the work he accomplishes. And note how he is serving the American people,” she continued.
During a press conference in August 2023, Jean-Pierre addressed assertions that Biden was concluding engagements as early as 10 a.m. due to “absurd assumptions” stemming from his fatigue. When questioned the following month if Biden’s staff “treats him like a child,” the now-former press secretary reacted with surprise.
“No one treats the President of the United States, the commander in chief, like a child. That is absurd. It is an outrageous claim,” she replied.
After Special Counsel Robert Hur opted not to pursue charges against Biden for the purported mishandling of classified documents last year, arguing that a jury would view him as a sympathetic “elderly man with a poor memory,” Jean-Pierre stated that his evaluation “does not align with reality.”
“The truth is, that portion of the report does not align with reality. It simply does not. It is gratuitous. It is unacceptable, and it does not align with reality,” Pierre asserted at that time.