Kamala Harris’ Fourth of July message on X lit a firestorm among conservatives, who called it a grim buzzkill for a day meant to celebrate America’s spirit, as the New York Post reports. The former vice president’s decision to crop former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden out of a 2024 photo didn’t help, fueling speculation about her 2028 ambitions. Critics pounced, seeing the move as a calculated jab at her former boss.

On July 4, Harris posted a message on X bemoaning what she sees as the nation’s struggles, paired with a photo that conspicuously excluded Biden, despite his presence mere feet away at the 2024 event. Her words and the cropped image drew sharp rebukes from social media users and political commentators alike. The controversy underscored Harris’ fading star within the Democratic Party as she navigates her post-2024 election path.

Harris’ X post struck a somber note, declaring, “Things are hard right now.” She warned that conditions might “get worse before they get better,” a message that clashed with the holiday’s upbeat vibe. Conservatives, already skeptical of her leadership, found the tone defeatist and unfit for a day of national pride.

Cropped photo fuels controversy

The accompanying photo, showing Harris and former first gentleman Doug Emhoff watching fireworks, raised eyebrows for its editing. Biden and Jill, present at the original 2024 event, were conspicuously absent, prompting accusations of political maneuvering. One anonymous X user quipped, “Whose elbow is that at the right?”

Link Lauren, a former RFK Jr. adviser, didn’t mince words, stating, “Kamala cropping Joe out is very symbolic.” The remark captured a sentiment among critics that Harris was distancing herself from Biden’s legacy. Such optics only amplified doubts about her loyalty and intentions.

Conservative voices wasted no time piling on. Kiersten Pels, a Republican National Committee spokeswoman, sneered, “Feeling grateful we didn’t end up with a President who posts ‘things are gonna get worse’ on the 4th of July.” The jab resonated with those who see Harris as out of touch with America’s resilient spirit.

Harris’ message draws mockery

Harris tried to rally with, “I love our country -- and when you love something, you fight for it.”

But the attempt at patriotism landed flat, overshadowed by her earlier gloom. Critics argued that true leaders lift spirits on Independence Day, not dampen them.

Social media users were merciless. One anonymous commenter snapped, “Among other reasons, this is why you’re not President.” Another urged, “Just enjoy the day,” reflecting frustration with Harris’ inability to read the room.

Radio host Mark Simone took it further, claiming, “Kamala sets a new record for the worst 4th of July message ever.” The hyperbole struck a chord with conservatives who view Harris’ rhetoric as emblematic of progressive pessimism. Her words seemed to fuel their narrative of a Democratic Party adrift.

Political future in question

Harris’ misstep comes as her political stock plummets. An Emerson College poll from June 2025 showed just 13% of Democrats backing her for the 2028 primary, trailing Pete Buttigieg’s 16%. A year earlier, she enjoyed 37% support, signaling a steep decline.

A Morning Consult poll in March 2025 pegged her at 36% among Democratic-leaning voters, still a far cry from her 2024 clout. Even among “policy influencers,” a Politico/UC Berkeley poll in April 2025 found 36% unenthusiastic about her potential run for California governor. The numbers paint a grim picture of her future.

Since losing the 2024 election to Donald Trump, who swept all seven swing states after Biden’s withdrawal, Harris has kept a low profile.

Her April 2025 keynote in San Francisco, where she slammed Republican policies without naming Trump, failed to reignite her base. Political insiders told Politico she’ll decide her next move by summer’s end.

Speculation swirls for 2028

Despite the backlash, some supporters see Harris’s post as a sign of a fight. Mike Davis, founder of the Article III Project, cheered, “Don’t stop fighting, Kamala. And please run again in 2028.” His enthusiasm stands in stark contrast to the broader Democratic Party mood.

Others, however, see calculation in her actions. An anonymous X user speculated, “[S]he’s running in 2028,” interpreting the Biden snub as a bold, if risky, opening salvo. Harris’ cropped photo and dour message suggest she’s carving her path, even at the cost of party unity.

Yet the MAGA faithful aren’t buying her act. A fourth X user twisted her own words, sneering, “America is unburdened by what has been.”

The paraphrase, dripping with sarcasm, captures the conservative glee at Harris’ self-inflicted wounds, as her Fourth of July fiasco only deepens her political woes.