Former President Barack Obama expressed sharp displeasure with Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s swift endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination in July 2024, according to revelations in a new book by ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl. The details, published in Karl’s book Retribution, shed light on a tense moment between two of the Democratic Party’s most influential figures during a critical juncture in the 2024 presidential race.
Obama telephoned Pelosi shortly after the former House speaker publicly endorsed Harris on July 22, 2024—just one day after President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid. A confidant of Pelosi characterized Obama’s reaction bluntly, summarizing his message as essentially asking what she had just done. The conversation revealed a significant rift in what had been a coordinated strategy between the two Democratic leaders regarding the nomination process.
The two political powerhouses had maintained regular communication as Biden neared his decision to exit the race, and they had privately agreed that Harris should not simply receive the nomination without challenge. They had also agreed to abstain from making any endorsements to allow for what Obama termed “a process” to determine the Democratic nominee. Obama and Pelosi, arguably the two most influential figures in the party, viewed an open selection process as essential for the party’s prospects.
Pelosi’s endorsement came as a surprise, given this agreement. When Obama called to inquire why she had issued her statement supporting Harris so quickly, Pelosi responded that the train had already left the station. The timing of her endorsement, around 1 p.m. on July 22, effectively ended any possibility of an open nomination contest.
Sources close to both principals offered differing accounts of the conversation’s tone. A source familiar with Obama’s perspective described the exchange as good-natured ribbing, downplaying any genuine anger. However, a source close to the California congresswoman remembered the conversation quite differently, believing Obama sounded genuinely irritated by Pelosi’s move and used profanity to convey his displeasure.
The context surrounding Biden’s exit added urgency to the situation. The president had delivered a widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27, 2024, followed by an uneven interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos. Biden then committed several notable gaffes, including referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as President Putin at a NATO summit and calling Harris “Vice President Trump.”
Biden’s physical condition further complicated matters when he contracted COVID-19 during a trip to Las Vegas. According to Karl’s book, Biden appeared so frail that Secret Service agents seemingly had to assist him into a vehicle that transported him to his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, vacation home for recovery. From there, he announced his decision to withdraw from the race on July 21, endorsing Harris shortly thereafter.
A senior Biden adviser who also worked in the Obama White House offered a more pointed assessment of Obama’s reluctance to support a quick Harris coronation. This adviser suggested that Obama did not believe Harris could win the general election, adding that there was only one “Black Jesus” in reference to Obama’s own historic presidency and political appeal.
The Obama endorsement eventually came five days after Biden’s exit from the race, with both Barack and Michelle Obama appearing on a phone call with Harris. Even Pelosi’s own husband expressed surprise at her decision to endorse Harris so rapidly, according to Karl’s reporting.
Obama has remained active in Democratic politics despite enjoying his post-presidency. He has recently involved himself in California’s Proposition 50, a ballot measure scheduled for a vote on November 4, 2025, that would alter the state’s congressional redistricting process. He is also scheduled to campaign with gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger in Norfolk, Virginia, at Chartway Arena at Old Dominion University on November 1.
