Former Vice President Kamala Harris recently delivered a speech at Broadway’s A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical that has left many viewers scratching their heads. Attending the performance alongside her husband, Doug Emhoff, Harris attempted to inspire the cast and crew with her words. However, her remarks quickly turned into what some critics have dubbed a “word salad,” prompting widespread mockery and heated debate online.
After receiving a standing ovation for the musical, Harris took the stage to address the talented ensemble. In a video clip that quickly went viral on social media, she said, “When we think about these moments where we see things that are being taken, but also let’s see it, you know, nature abhors a vacuum.” She continued with, “Where there’s a vacancy, let’s fill it. Let us know that the reality is that the progress of our nation has been about the expansion of rights, not the restriction of rights.” Her speech took an unexpected turn when she added, “We’re seeing a U-turn right now. For those rights to be maintained, which means we have to be vigilant. It’s just the nature of it.”
For many, these remarks came off as disjointed and confusing. Social media erupted with critics claiming that Harris’s inspirational message lacked coherence. One user on X sarcastically commented that Harris had “hit Broadway and served up her signature word salad,” reminding everyone of what many saw as a return to the kind of rhetoric that characterized her earlier public addresses. Another commenter playfully noted that “Harris has invented a new language—one that’s both pompous and empty,” while others speculated that she might have been under the influence during her speech.
This isn’t the first time Harris has been under fire for her speaking style. Previously, during a visit to California where she addressed firefighters battling wildfires, her comments were similarly described as a “word salad,” prompting comparisons to her Broadway address. Despite the criticism, some viewers found a certain charm in her delivery, with a few praising her unique way with words. “I read the transcript and my husband knew right away who it was. She certainly has a way with words!” one admirer commented.
