LONDON — Former Vice President Kamala Harris has ignited speculation about a potential political comeback after signaling that another presidential run “is possible” during a BBC interview that aired over the weekend. The conversation marked her first major international appearance since her loss to President Donald Trump in the 2024 election — and her most direct acknowledgment yet that her political career may not be over.
A Return to the Spotlight
Speaking on the BBC program Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Harris appeared calm yet reflective as she discussed her future in politics, her belief that the United States will eventually elect a woman president, and her enduring sense of public duty.
“I am not done,” she said firmly. “I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones.”
The remarks were brief but powerful — the clearest signal yet that Harris, now a private citizen following her tenure as vice president, is weighing a 2028 bid. When asked directly if she believed she could one day hold the nation’s highest office, Harris paused before answering, “Possibly.”
She added that her grandnieces would “for sure” see a woman in the White House within their lifetime, a statement that seemed both aspirational and personal.
A Party in Reflection
The interview comes amid a period of deep introspection for the Democratic Party. Following a bruising loss in 2024, Democrats have been openly debating what went wrong and who bears responsibility for the defeat.
According to campaign insiders and post-election analyses, some party strategists have faulted President Joe Biden for remaining in the race too long, despite growing concerns about his age and cognitive health. Others, however, argue that Harris herself struggled to connect with voters on economic issues — particularly inflation and job growth — that dominated the campaign.
As Harris acknowledged, “The outcome of that election was devastating for many who believed in our vision for the country.”
Her comments suggest a willingness to revisit that painful period as Democrats look toward rebuilding for 2028.
A Memoir and a Message
Harris’s BBC appearance coincided with the release of her new memoir, 107 Days, which chronicles the final months of the 2024 campaign — a stretch that began with Biden’s withdrawal and ended in a decisive Republican victory.
While Harris declined to say whether she believed she could have won had Biden stepped aside earlier, she admitted that the question still lingers in her mind.
“That’s unknowable,” she told Kuenssberg. “The great ‘if’ that could have changed the fate of America.”
The book, which insiders say blends personal reflection with policy critique, has been viewed as both a cathartic exercise and a strategic move — one that positions Harris back in the public eye just as Democrats begin to consider new leadership for the next cycle.
Confronting Trump and His Influence
Throughout the interview, Harris did not shy away from referencing Donald Trump, calling him a “tyrant” and accusing his administration of weaponizing federal agencies against political opponents.
“He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice — and he has done exactly that,” Harris claimed, asserting that several recent actions under the Trump administration prove her earlier warnings were justified.
She pointed to recent controversies, including the reported suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC following a joke about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death, as evidence of what she described as “intolerance toward dissent.”
“His skin is so thin he couldn’t endure criticism from a joke,” Harris said.
Though her remarks were pointed, analysts noted that they reflected a familiar theme in Harris’s rhetoric: a focus on the fragility of democratic institutions under pressure from authoritarian tendencies.
Criticism from the White House
The Trump administration responded quickly to Harris’s comments. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson dismissed the remarks as “absurd lies,” suggesting that the former vice president’s continued criticism reflected bitterness over her loss.
“When Kamala Harris lost the election in a landslide, she should’ve taken the hint — the American people don’t care about her absurd lies,” Jackson told reporters. “Or maybe she did take the hint, and that’s why she’s continuing to air her grievances to foreign publications.”
Jackson’s sharp response underscored the ongoing tension between Trump’s team and former Democratic leaders who have continued to challenge his legitimacy and methods in office.
A Personal Reckoning
Harris described the 2024 campaign’s conclusion as “traumatizing” for her staff and supporters, recalling the moment Trump’s victory became clear.
“My God, my God, what will happen to our country?” she said she repeated to herself that night.
Still, Harris insisted that she has no plans to step away from public life. “I have always believed that service takes many forms,” she said. “Elected office is one of them, but not the only one.”
The comment left open questions about whether her next steps might involve advocacy work, international diplomacy, or another electoral campaign.
Repairing Party Divisions
Harris’s remarks also highlighted the challenges ahead for Democrats. With several potential contenders already being floated — including governors, senators, and even nontraditional figures such as actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — the party faces a delicate balancing act between renewal and experience.
Polls have shown Harris trailing behind several potential rivals for the 2028 nomination, including Johnson and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. But Harris dismissed polling concerns outright.
“If I listened to polls, I would not have run for my first office or my second office — and I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here,” she said.
Political analysts note that Harris’s resilience and name recognition still make her a formidable figure in Democratic politics, despite questions about her national appeal.
“She has a loyal base and the ability to draw significant fundraising support,” said one Democratic strategist familiar with her team. “The question is whether the electorate will be ready to revisit her candidacy four years from now.”
The Road Ahead
As she wrapped up her London interview, Harris emphasized that no decision has been made about 2028 — but her tone suggested that the possibility remains very much alive.
“I have not made any announcements,” she said, smiling. “But I’ll say this — I believe in the resilience of our democracy, and I will always be part of that fight.”
For now, Harris appears to be testing the waters — gauging reactions from both the public and within the party. Whether her remarks were a trial balloon or the first step toward a campaign remains unclear.
But one thing is evident: Kamala Harris is not ready to fade quietly into political history.
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
