Former Vice President Kamala Harris is making a highly anticipated return to the public stage Wednesday in San Francisco, delivering her first major speech since losing the 2024 presidential election to President Trump in the city where her political rise began.
Harris is giving the keynote address at the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization that assists Democratic women in running for office.
The speech, which comes on the heels of President Trump’s 100th day in office, is pointed in its criticism of the new administration. Of the new administration, Harris said “we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment” of the nation’s highest ideals.”
“We all know, President Trump, his administration, and their allies, are counting on the notion that fear can be contagious. They are counting on the notion that, if they can make some people afraid, it will have a chilling effect on others,” Harris said. “But what they’ve overlooked is that fear isn’t the only thing that’s contagious. Courage is contagious.”
With Gov. Gavin Newsom terming out of the governor’s office in 2026, Harris’ name has been floated as a possible candidate to become California’s next chief executive. Some polling has shown Harris garnering strong support for a run.
Harris has mostly kept a lower profile since the election. She was in attendance at Mr. Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration.
Earlier in April, Harris attended the Leading Women Defined Summit event and gave a talk that possibly hinted at some of the themes she may expand on in Wednesday’s speech.
“We’re seeing people stay quiet. We are seeing organizations stay quiet. We are seeing those who are capitulating to clearly unconstitutional threats,” Harris said.
How to Watch:
The 20th anniversary Emerge America gala began around 7 p.m. PST, with Harris taking the stage closer to
CBS News Bay Area is streaming Harris’ speech live, and it can be viewed in the video above.
