Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered an expletive-laden tirade about President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom renovation during an appearance on Jon Stewart’s “The Weekly Show” podcast on Thursday, October 30, 2025, escalating her criticism of the administration amid an ongoing government shutdown.
“Are you ****ing kidding me?” Harris stated during the podcast interview, according to multiple sources. She accused Trump of prioritizing construction of a ballroom for wealthy donors while Americans faced the prospect of losing federal food assistance benefits within hours.
The former vice president continued her criticism by suggesting Trump was disregarding the needs of vulnerable populations. She referenced SNAP benefits set to expire and questioned why attention was being diverted to construction projects rather than addressing hunger concerns affecting families across the country.
Harris appeared on the podcast to promote her new book “107 Days,” which chronicles her time in the White House and reflects on her relationship with former President Joe Biden during the 2024 election campaign. The conversation with Stewart ranged across multiple topics, including her loyalty to Biden and questions about his fitness to serve another term.
When Stewart asked whether Harris believed Biden was competent to serve another four years in office, she maintained that the former president was fully capable of fulfilling the duties of the presidency. She distinguished between the demands of campaigning for president and actually serving in the role, describing the campaign trail as a marathon run at a sprinter’s pace with constant criticism.
Stewart expressed surprise at Harris’ defense of Biden’s capability, noting that most Americans view the presidency itself as equally demanding as any campaign. The exchange highlighted ongoing debates about Biden’s age and stamina during his final year in office before the 2024 election.
Harris acknowledged that her relationship with Biden during the election had been complicated. She explained that she cared deeply about him and chose not to add to the criticism he was facing at the time, though she admitted this may have prevented her from more robustly distinguishing her own positions from his during the campaign.
The White House has maintained that the ballroom expansion, which carries an estimated $300 million price tag, is being financed entirely by private donations rather than taxpayer funds. The project involves demolishing the East Wing to construct the new facility.
The ballroom project has become a focal point for Democratic criticism during the government shutdown. However, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that Democrats had voted 13 times to keep the federal government shut down as of Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Thune indicated that ending the shutdown and ensuring Americans receive food assistance required Democrats to support the bill with five votes. The Senate failed to reopen the government in a 54-45 vote on that Tuesday, according to reports.
During the Stewart interview, Harris was asked whether struggling Democrats could learn from Trump’s aggressive approach to governance. She pushed back on this characterization, arguing that disruption should not be conflated with destruction.
The former vice president’s appearance on the podcast marked another stop in her book tour, which has taken her to university bookstores and campuses across the country. The tour has generated attention for various moments, including interactions with hecklers and joint appearances with other political figures.
Harris indicated she and Biden still maintain occasional contact and remain on good terms despite the complexities of their relationship during the campaign period. She suggested that being a sitting president while simultaneously campaigning presents unique challenges that differ from the demands of serving in office.
The Thursday podcast episode aired amid broader tensions in Washington over government funding and social safety net programs. Multiple construction photos obtained by news outlets show the East Wing of the White House under renovation as of Monday, October 20, 2025.
Harris’ use of profanity during the interview represents a departure from typical political discourse, though some observers noted that Democratic figures have increasingly employed casual language in media appearances aimed at younger audiences. The former vice president’s direct and unfiltered comments drew immediate attention on social media following the podcast’s release.
