A video showing the husband of a Republican senator refusing to shake Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris‘ hand took off online Monday, after the awkward moment in the Senate on Friday.
The clip, showing Senator Deb Fischer’s husband Bruce turning down Harris’ offer, was shared on X, formerly Twitter, by political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, who said it showed “the level of class you can expect from MAGA”.
Newsweek reached out to Senator Fischer’s office via voicemail and the White House via email for comment Monday afternoon.
Why It Matters
Bruce Fischer accompanied his wife, first elected as a Senator for Nebraska in 2012, to the ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Friday and his refusal to shake hands with the vice president clearly surprised her as she oversaw the event, marking the beginning of the 119th Congress.
Fischer, 73, has met or interacted with Harris multiple times over the past four years, with the latter’s role as a tie-breaker in votes in the chamber.
Senator Deb Fischer’s office
What To Know
The video showed the Senator with one hand raised, the other on a Bible held by her husband, as she finished her pledge to serve the people of Nebraska once more.
Harris then shook her hand, saying, “Congratulations. Thank you for your work”. Turning to Bruce, Harris said: “May I give congratulations to you?” while holding out her hand. He simply said, “Thank you”, but did not accept the handshake.
The husband of a Republican senator just refused to shake hands or make eye contact with Vice President Harris.
The level of class you can expect from MAGA. pic.twitter.com/hTarflIqlw
— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) January 6, 2025
Harris visibly raised her eyebrows and grimaced as the group then turned forward for a photo, in which Bruce did not smile. Cohen’s sharing of the video Monday then sparked a reaction, with followers saying Bruce had not been taught manners or was showing the GOP’s true colors.
A video of the same ceremony following 2016’s election, when Vice President Mike Pence was overseeing the event, showed Bruce shaking the Republican’s hand.
Some followers pointed out that he had not relied on a cane at that time.
UPDATE: After some digging, I finally found the video from six years ago of Senator Fischer being sworn in by Mike Pence, with her husband by her side. To my expectations, after the oath, her husband gleefully shook Pence’s hand and thanked him for his leadership. Before they… https://t.co/Tz02HDSNcW pic.twitter.com/MnevNeaeeP
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) January 7, 2025
Harris’s job, as vice president, is to oversee the swearing-in of all new and re-elected Senators following an election on January 3. During Friday’s event, she had conversations with Senators on both sides of the aisle, including quipping to Vermont Independent Bernie Sanders about where he should stand.
“Stand right here. Although that is not your nature, to just stand where you’re told to stand, but give it a try,” she told him, prompting a soft laugh from the long-time lawmaker.
What People Are Saying
Senator Fischer, in a press release: “I’m humbled by the faith and trust Nebraskans have placed in me as I take this oath for the third time. I will not break that trust, and I will not betray that faith. I ask for your prayers for wisdom and strength that I may know and follow God’s guidance as I continue to serve the people and the state I love.”
Republicans Against Trump, on X: “GOP Senator Deb Fischer’s husband, Bruce, refuses to shake Vice President Kamala Harris’s hand after her swearing-in. Truly classless.”
Princella D. Smith, a filmmaker who shared the video on X: “Bruce Fischer is exactly what is wrong with American culture right now. We have put civility on the shelf.”
What’s Next
Senator Fischer now resumes her work on behalf of Nebraskans, promising she will “build a stronger Nebraska” alongside her constituents, as she shared a photo taken just after her husband’s interaction with the vice president.
Update: 1/7/25, 12:21 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with more information.
In a recent viral video, Senator Deb Fischer’s husband gained attention for refusing to shake Vice President Kamala Harris’ hand at a public event. The clip, which quickly spread across social media platforms, shows Harris extending her hand to Fischer’s husband as she greets attendees, only to have him ignore her gesture and walk away.
The incident sparked a heated debate online, with many criticizing Fischer’s husband for his apparent disrespect towards the Vice President. Some viewed his actions as a deliberate snub, while others argued that he may have simply missed the handshake due to the chaotic nature of the event.
Senator Fischer has since issued a statement addressing the incident, expressing regret over her husband’s behavior and emphasizing her commitment to civility and respect in political discourse. However, the video continues to generate controversy and discussion, shedding light on the ongoing tensions and divisions in American politics.
As the video continues to circulate online, it serves as a reminder of the importance of mutual respect and courtesy in public interactions, especially when it comes to engaging with elected officials and political figures. Regardless of one’s personal beliefs or affiliations, maintaining a sense of decorum and civility is crucial in fostering a healthy and productive political environment.
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Senator Deb Fischer, husband, viral, refusal, handshake, Kamala Harris, viral moment, political news, controversy, social media, handshake snub, body language, public appearance, political etiquette, non-verbal communication
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