On Monday evening, a Zoom event titled “White Dudes for Harris” brought together a group of left-wing white men, which has been labeled “cringe” by many on social media. The event featured prominent actors and political figures advocating for white men to support Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. This Zoom meeting is one of many held specifically for “affinity groups.”
The event began with speakers introduced by the host, with the first speaker being Maurice Mitchell, a black man who is the National Director for the Working Families Party and a leader in the BLM movement. During his segment, Mitchell addressed the white men on the call, stating, “White nationalists and MAGA want to speak for you. Silently disagreeing is not enough.”
Ross Morales Rocketto, the event’s host, acknowledged the discomfort some felt about the call, adding, “Throughout American history, when white men have organized, it’s often with pointy hats on.”
Other speakers included Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who claimed that women’s access to abortions makes “men more free” by reducing concerns about unplanned pregnancies. Several actors, such as Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame, also participated. Hamill warned that Trump aims to transform democracy into an autocracy and urged attendees to vote for Harris in 2024. In a follow-up email, organizers humorously noted that Hamill was “using the force,” referencing his role as Luke Skywalker.
Broadway actor Rory O’Malley, known for his role in Book of Mormon, praised Harris as the “embodiment of the backbone of the progressive movement” and called on white men to support her candidacy, highlighting the significant role of minority women in supporting progressive causes.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) spoke about the potential to “reform the Supreme Court” under Harris’s leadership, aligning with Biden’s initiative to overhaul decades of court precedent. Schiff emphasized the importance of preserving democracy and making Harris president.
Rep. Eric Swalwell also joined the call, suggesting that Democrats refer to Trump as “DonOld Trump” in response to attacks on Biden’s age.
The event raised $4 million for Harris’s campaign, with the YouTube livestream peaking at about 64,000 viewers, according to the New York Post. The group also sold baseball caps with “White Dudes for Harris” to raise additional funds.