Kamala Harris's $1.5B Campaign Ends in Defeat; Staff Blames Media, Admits Polls Showed No Lead

Kamala Harris's 107-day presidential campaign faced scrutiny and criticism following her defeat to President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 U.S. election. Campaign Chairwoman Jen O’Malley Dillon blamed the media and even weather for the defeat, while Senior Advisor David Plouffe admitted internal polling never showed Harris leading Trump. The campaign reportedly spent over $1.5 billion, ending up $700 million in debt. Political analysts and strategists, including Nate Silver and James Carville, have critiqued the campaign's approach. Silver referred to the staff as 'non-player characters,' while Carville said the excessive spending did 'almost unfathomable damage.' The campaign's messaging, described as 'anti-man, pro-trans, pro-abortion,' was also criticized for failing to resonate with voters. The decision to skip key media opportunities, such as an interview with Joe Rogan, was seen as a strategic misstep. Harris's running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, was criticized for offering 'next to nothing' to the campaign.