Kamala Harris Mocked on Social Media for Elephant Anecdote During Earthquake Remarks

Kamala Harris Urges Unity with Elephant Anecdote During First Speech Since Election Loss

Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her first public address since losing the 2024 election, speaking Wednesday night at the Emerge 20th anniversary gala in San Francisco. In a speech sharply critical of President Donald Trump’s return to office, Harris raised eyebrows with an unexpected detour involving elephants during an earthquake.

“Please allow me, friends, to digress for a moment,” Harris told the audience. “Okay, it’s kind of dark in here, but I’m going to ask for a show of hands. Who saw that video from a couple of weeks ago—the one of the elephants at the San Diego Zoo during the earthquake? Google it if you haven’t seen it.”

She described how the elephants reportedly huddled together to protect the most vulnerable as the ground shook, calling it a “powerful metaphor” for how people should respond to crisis. “Those who try to incite fear are most effective when they divide and conquer,” she said. “The instinct has to be to immediately find and connect with each other… the circle will be stronger.”

The anecdote struck many as jarring and awkward in the broader context of her speech, with social media users quick to mock the moment. “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt,” one user posted, quoting a well-known saying.

Harris did not address speculation that she may be eyeing a California governor run.

The event was hosted by Emerge, an organization dedicated to training Democratic women to run for office. Tickets to the virtual gala ranged from $25 to $250 depending on the access level.