President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had made a promise to have frequent private meetings to stay connected, just like former President Barack Obama did with Biden. However, a review of their public schedules shows that they have fallen short of their goal. So far this year, they have only had two private meetings at the White House, instead of the weekly lunches they had planned.
During an interview with People magazine last year, Biden expressed his desire for Harris to be involved in everything he does. He said, “I wanted her to be the last person in the room, like Barack and I. We have lunch alone once a week.” Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, their lunch meetings have become less frequent.
In May 2021, Biden and Harris had shared twelve private lunches together, according to statistics. However, the frequency of their meetings has decreased, with only two private lunches taking place in 2022. The first occurred on February 8, 2022, when Biden was busy searching for a new Supreme Court Justice. The second lunch meeting happened on March 30, 2022, after Biden returned from his trip to Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Some skeptics speculate that the decrease in meetings indicates tension between Biden and Harris. However, the White House encourages the press not to interpret the frequency of their meetings as a measure of their relationship’s success. Deputy Press Secretary Chris Meagher emphasized that the president and vice president are in constant communication and depend on each other’s counsel and friendship.
Rumors about a strained relationship between Biden and Harris have been circulating for over a year. One report suggests that Biden asked Harris to leave the Oval Office early on in his term, as he didn’t want her involved in negotiations with Senator Joe Manchin regarding his domestic spending bill. However, the White House has not confirmed these claims.
At this point, it’s hard to determine the true nature of Biden and Harris’ relationship. While their private meetings have become less frequent, the White House insists that they maintain regular contact and collaboration to address critical issues such as the economy, working families, Russia’s aggression, and national infrastructure investments.
Only time will tell whether Biden and Harris can strengthen their bond and work together effectively.
