Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer endorsed Kamala Harris for president this afternoon after reportedly orchestrating a push to remove Joe Biden from the race. However, what was supposed to be a celebratory moment turned into an embarrassing one for Schumer.
Joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Schumer anticipated a warm reception from the press for his endorsement of Harris. Instead, the response was reminiscent of Jeb Bush’s infamous “please clap” moment.
“So now that the process has played out from the grassroots bottom up, we are here today to throw our support behind Vice President Kamala Harris!” Schumer exclaimed, expecting applause.
When no applause followed, Schumer began clapping himself.
“I’m clapping, you don’t have to,” a surprised Schumer remarked.
Biden withdrew from the presidential race on Sunday and endorsed Harris as his successor. This move is said to have been influenced by Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Barack Obama working behind the scenes to undermine Biden.