Vice President Kamala Harris might not be the Queen of the White House, but she’s still demanding some R-E-S-P-E-C-T à la the Queen of Soul.
Harris — who is often affectionately referred to as “President” and “First Lady” by the actual president, Joe Biden — is the subject of another news story detailing the exhausting way she treats staff. According to a forthcoming book by New York Times correspondents Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns, Harris felt slighted by White House aides not standing up when she entered a room like they did for Biden.
“Some of Harris’s advisers believed the president’s almost entirely white inner circle did not show the vice president the respect she deserved,” the authors write, noting that Harris asked her chief of staff to raise the issue with the White House. “Harris worried that Biden’s staff looked down on her; she fixated on real and perceived snubs in ways the West Wing found tedious.”
Cockburn is reminded of a similar tale involving the also not-so-royal Prince Andrew. The disgraced prince is no longer expected to appear at public events due to his connection with alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, so it seems he’s now getting off on other kinds of power trips.
Back in 2017, a source told the Daily Beast that during a weekend shooting trip, Prince Andrew was dismayed when the other guests didn’t stand upon his arrival to the kitchen for breakfast. Andrew reportedly told the group, “Let’s try that again, shall we?” left the room, and re-entered.
This type of behavior is annoying enough when done by people with actual talent or bravado, like Mariah Carey or Diana Ross. It’s downright obnoxious when endured at the hands of wannabes who think respect is given, not earned.
Vice President Harris, in particular, has a penchant for lashing out at people who dare cross her. Harris felt “belittled” when Vogue editor Anna Wintour chose a more “relatable” image of the VP for the magazine’s cover, and tasked press secretary Symone Sanders with conveying her displeasure. Never mind that Harris put together the casual outfit for the shoot. Harris has also been accused of not reading her briefing materials, and then blaming staff when her press appearances go off the rails.
Divas are usually arrogant, but Harris’s conduct is more likely the result of insecurity. She is constantly reminding us that she is the vice president — and don’t you forget it! — and is reflexively defensive whenever asked about her role and responsibilities.
Harris is also missing the other characteristic of a good diva: iconic fashion moments. Compare the reaction to Harris’s drab brown State of the Union garb with Speaker Nancy Pelosi leaving a meeting at the White House in Armani sunglasses and a burnt orange funnel-neck coat. Girl boss alert! Chuck Taylor sneakers just cannot compare.
The one thing Harris does have in common with other divas is her relentless fan club, the KHive, a group of internet bullies who strike out at appearances and threaten the jobs of anyone who dares to criticize their Queen Bee. Cockburn will be logging off before the publication of this article.
