President Donald Trump has shot down a striking assertion from Kamala Harris’ latest book about their post-election phone call. The claim, if true, would paint a rare moment of warmth from a fierce political rival.

According to Fox News, Harris wrote that Trump called her a "tough, smart customer" during a concession call after the 2024 campaign. Trump, however, firmly denied ever using those words, though he admitted to being cordial during their exchange.

Speaking with Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy on the debut episode of "The Sunday Briefing," Trump clarified his stance. "That I know of, I didn’t call her that, but I was nice to her," he told Doocy, keeping the tone polite yet dismissive of Harris’ recollection.

Disputing the Narrative of a Warm Exchange

Harris’ book, as highlighted in a New York Times review, suggests she pushed Trump to unite the nation during their call. She reportedly viewed the effort as "a lost cause," casting doubt on his willingness to bridge divides.

The excerpt also quotes Trump as saying, "I am going to be so nice and respectful. You are a tough, smart customer, and I say that with great respect."

Harris further claimed Trump complimented her name, noting, "I got use of that name, it’s Kamala." This alleged flattery stands in stark contrast to the heated rhetoric of the campaign trail, making Trump’s denial all the more pointed.

Trump’s Take on Harris’ Performance

During the exclusive interview with Doocy, Trump didn’t shy away from critiquing Harris’ campaign efforts. "I thought Kamala would have done a better job than she did in terms of running, because we really won by a lot," he remarked, suggesting her strategy fell short.

Yet, he maintained a veneer of civility, noting he had met her a few times and "was always nice to her." This balance of critique and courtesy seems calculated to avoid petty mudslinging while still asserting dominance in the political arena.

Trump’s comments reflect a broader skepticism about Harris’ narrative, both in her book and on the stump. Why embellish a private call with praise that never happened, unless to soften her image after a bruising loss?

A Lighter Moment Amid Serious Talk

The interview wasn’t all sharp edges and rebuttals, as Trump shared a playful moment with Doocy. He helped the correspondent record his first TikTok, joking that he was "working very hard" to save the app, along with Doocy’s new show.

This brief detour into humor offered a glimpse of Trump’s knack for blending media savvy with personal charm. It’s a reminder that even in pointed political exchanges, he knows how to shift gears and keep an audience engaged.

Still, the TikTok quip doesn’t erase the core issue of Harris’ disputed account. If anything, it underscores Trump’s ability to pivot from defense to distraction without missing a beat.

Questioning the Motives Behind the Story

Harris’ book, meant to chronicle her 2024 campaign, now faces scrutiny over this alleged exchange that Trump flatly denies. Could this be an attempt to rewrite a bitter defeat as a moment of mutual respect, polishing her public persona?

For many, the claim feels like a stretch, especially given the intense rivalry that defined their contest. Fabricating praise from an opponent as unyielding as Trump risks undermining the credibility of her entire narrative.

In the end, Trump’s pushback paints Harris’ story as more fiction than fact, a tale spun for sympathy or relevance. While he keeps the door open to civility, he’s clear that flattery, especially the kind Harris describes, isn’t part of his playbook.