Obamas Join Top Democrats In Endorsing VP Kamala Harris

In a brief video released Friday by the Harris campaign, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, adding to the growing support from top Democratic politicians as her campaign gains momentum against Republican opponent Donald Trump.

The 55-second clip shows Harris walking backstage after an event, heading to her motorcade and answering a phone call on speaker.

“Aww, hi, you’re both together. Oh, it’s good to hear you both,” says Harris.

“I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you,” Michelle Obama says in response. “This is going to be historic.”

Barack Obama then says, “We called to say, Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you, and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office.”

The video ends with Harris thanking the couple for their friendship and saying, “We’re going to have some fun with this.”

The Obamas both shared the campaign video on their X accounts, confirming their endorsement of Harris.

“Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend Kamala Harris. We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States and that she has our full support,” wrote Barack Obama. “At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in November. We hope you’ll join us.”

The Obamas’ highly anticipated endorsement dispels any speculation that Harris, the de facto Democratic presidential nominee, might lack full support from one of the party’s most influential couples.

Speculation about the Obamas’ support of Harris arose when they delayed endorsing the vice president, even after most of the party’s leading figures had publicly backed Harris following President Joe Biden‘s announcement on Sunday that he would not seek reelection.

However, earlier this week, multiple media outlets reported that Barack Obama had been in regular contact with Harris, offering her counsel on building her campaign.

The Obamas’ endorsement was also notable for the way Harris’s campaign chose to announce it.

Typically, traditional presidential campaign endorsements are released as formal statements on letterhead or tweeted, featuring elaborate praise for the candidate.

Instead, the semi-casual video – a private phone call between old friends – deviates from the traditional format and aligns with the Harris campaign’s emerging style, which values personal relationships, avoids pomp and embraces authenticity. 

The understated promotion of such a high-profile endorsement may also indicate that the Obamas, both skilled speakers, are waiting for the right moment to use their influence for maximum impact.

Later this summer and fall, both Obamas are expected to campaign actively to energize Democratic voters and are also guaranteed prominent speaking roles at the Democratic Party’s August convention in Chicago, the party’s first in-person convention since 2016.

Although Harris has no public events on Friday, she is expected to campaign in Georgia early next week, where her candidacy could boost Democrats’ electoral prospects.