In a revealing interaction recently documented in a video posted on Tuesday, several women voters candidly shared their reasons for disliking Vice President Kamala Harris and their steadfast support for former President Donald Trump with former CNN host Don Lemon. The conversation highlights the perspectives and experiences that have seemingly diminished Harris’s support among these voters while solidifying and even boosting Trump’s base.
CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten had noted earlier that women had been largely driving Harris’s momentum, indicating that she held an 11-point lead over Trump among female voters nationally. In contrast, President Joe Biden had only a four-point lead among the same demographic before his exit from the race on July 21. Despite these favorable statistics for Harris, the women who spoke with Lemon conveyed a markedly different sentiment.
One black woman voiced her frustration and clear preference for Trump, remarking, “I’m going for Trump. I feel like every time they don’t want somebody who is good for us to win, they throw somebody black in our face thinking that’s going to make us vote for the black person. Kamala was on Biden’s team, and I don’t like Biden. Gas wasn’t this high when Trump was our president. Food wasn’t this high.” Her comments underscore a broader dissatisfaction with the current economic conditions, which she attributes directly to the Biden administration.
Another black woman provided an introspective reflection on her voting history. “I voted for Obama because he was black. I don’t want to vote for her because she’s the first black woman to run for president or to win. It has to change. And now I vote more for what fits me better as a person rather than voting for the black person or voting for the first woman.” This shift signifies a move away from identity politics toward a more personal, benefit-focused voting criterion.
A white woman even felt the need to apologize to Lemon for her support of Trump. She explained, “Well, I know nobody likes him, but we had good times with Donald Trump.” Further elaborating on her aversion to Harris, she noted, “I don’t like the way [Harris] speaks, the giddiness, the laughing. Everything’s a joke and it’s not a joke. We’re in trouble,” pointing to what she perceives as a significant disconnect between Harris’s demeanor and the nation’s current challenges.
Another white woman shared her political journey, revealing that she “used to be against Trump” when she lived in Virginia. However, her stance shifted to supporting him after moving to Cleveland, indicating how personal circumstances and changing environments can heavily influence political affiliations and choices.
A different black woman candidly expressed her unwavering support for Trump while bluntly detailing her dislike for Harris. “She phony and fake, you know what I’m saying? … I’m not feeling her. People get mad about it. I’m just not feeling her,” she commented.