Former President Barack Obama was reportedly surprised when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Kamala Harris less than a day after President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid in 2024, according to a new book.
ABC News journalist Jonathan Karl’s upcoming release, Retribution, details a tense phone call between Obama and Pelosi following her unexpected move.
Highlights
- Nancy Pelosi surprised Barack Obama by endorsing Kamala Harris shortly after Biden ended his 2024 re-election bid.
- Obama felt blindsided; he and Pelosi had agreed to keep the Democratic nomination process open to voters.
- Obama expressed doubts about Harris's ability to beat Trump and had concerns about her overall competence.
- Despite initial tensions, Obama and Pelosi eventually supported Harris, with Obama calling her 'ready for the job.'
The book reports that Obama, who wanted a fair process to choose the Democratic nominee, felt blindsided by Pelosi’s decision.
A new book reveals a tense phone call between Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi
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Pelosi publicly praised Harris as “brilliantly astute” and said she had “full confidence” that the vice president could defeat the now U.S. President Donald Trump.
Her endorsement came just hours after Biden dropped out of the race and announced his own support for Harris.
According to Karl, Obama called Pelosi soon after her statement went public.
A source close to Pelosi told the author, “The Obamas were not happy.”
According to an excerpt from The Daily Mail, a source described Obama’s reaction in blunt terms, saying, “What the f**k did you just do?”
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The book says Obama and Pelosi had agreed not to make any early endorsements. Both leaders reportedly wanted to keep the nomination open so that Democratic voters could decide who would face Trump in the general election.
“That train has left the station,” Pelosi reportedly told Obama during their call, according to Karl, referring to Biden’s quick endorsement of Harris after announcing his decision to end his campaign.
Obama reportedly also had serious concerns about Harris’s ability to beat Trump in the election and her overall competence.
Karl quoted a senior Biden adviser, who also worked in the Obama White House, who claimed the real reason Obama didn't want Pelosi to endorse Harris was that Obama did not think Harris could win.
“There’s only one Black Jesus,” the senior Biden adviser had said. Harris has long identified herself as African American.
Obama had serious concerns about Harris’s ability to beat Donald Trump
Image credits: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
But within hours of Biden’s withdrawal, major Democrats—including Bill and Hillary Clinton, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer—began endorsing Harris, leaving little room for an open contest.
“No other candidates had stepped forward—Kamala Harris was it. The only thing Pelosi could do was try to help her win the election,” Karl wrote.
A source close to Obama said the confrontation was “good-natured ribbing.” However, a source close to Pelosi told Karl that Obama sounded “genuinely irritated.”
“The former president wanted to know what had happened. Why had Pelosi issued a statement endorsing Harris so soon? Hadn't he and Pelosi agreed days earlier that party leaders anointing the vice president as Biden’s replacement would be a mistake?” Karl wrote.
Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, also expressed surprise at her quick endorsement. “Kamala?” he reportedly asked. Pelosi replied, “Don’t start with me.”
Image credits: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Karl’s book provides background on the chaotic weeks before Biden’s decision not to seek re-election.
The president’s shaky debate performance against Trump in June 2024 raised concerns about his mental sharpness.
He then made several verbal gaffes, including mixing up world leaders’ names, including calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “President Putin” at the NATO summit, and calling Harris “Vice President Trump.”
Biden later fell ill with COVID-19. Shortly after, Biden decided to end his campaign and endorse Harris.
Pelosi’s endorsement followed soon after, while Obama waited five more days before announcing his own support for Harris.
Despite their disagreement, both Obama and Pelosi ultimately rallied behind Harris once it became clear no other serious Democratic contender would step forward.
Obama’s endorsement video, released five days later, called Harris “ready for the job.”
“Kamala Harris is ready for the job. This is a person who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice and a champion,” Obama said.