Vice President Kamala Harris went for ice cream in Washington, DC on Friday, making a surprise public appearance as Democrats debated the future of her political career.
Harris visited Smize & Dream, a new Pop-up location in Washington, DC for an ice cream brand founded by America’s Top Model star Tyra Banks.
The vice president was given the “Cap Hill Crunch” flavor, an experimental flavor. The recipe includes cereal with grains, toffee crunch, and pieces of French toast soaked in cereal milk.
Harris’ public appearance comes as Democrats continue to pressure President Joe Biden to abandon his re-election campaign.
There is also much speculation in Democratic circles about Harris’ future, as she tries to re-position herself as Biden’s natural successor.
US Vice President Kamala Harris and her two nieces taste ice cream at the opening of the SMiZE & Dream ice cream pop-up shop
Vice President Kamala Harris attends the opening of a pop-up ice cream parlor by Tyra Banks
Harris had no public events scheduled earlier this week, though she did hold two campaign rallies earlier in the week.
According to the New York Times, the ice cream trip came just before a phone call with major Democratic donors on Friday afternoon.
The goal of the conversation is for Harris to address “urgent, emerging needs” for the campaign, according to a letter from Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman, in a “rapidly changing environment.”
Although Vice President Harris is formally Biden’s successor, some believe she is not the best candidate to replace Biden.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez told her supporters in a video she posted to social media Thursday night that Harris’ “coconut-inspired” supporters should not assume the vice president would take her place.
“I’m just going to say it. If you think there’s a consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to abandon Kamala, that they’re going to support Kamala, Vice President Harris, you’re wrong,” she said.
But on Friday, Harris seemed ready to take a break from the political drama, taking her grandnieces, Amara and Leela, to sample the designer ice cream.
“Get ya booty in line!” Banks wrote on Instagram Thursday to announce her store’s opening. “The first 202 guests will receive a free ice cream and a delicious surprise!”
Vice President Kamala Harris (C) and her two nieces order from Tyra Banks (L) at her new store ‘Smize Dream Ice Cream’ in Washington, DC
Tyra Banks greets US Vice President Kamala Harris at the opening of the SMiZE & Dream ice cream
Banks coined the term “Smize” to describe the job of models to make you smile with your eyes.
It’s unclear if Harris was quick enough to get in line for free ice cream, but she went to the store and spoke to Banks.
Banks told the girls that as a child, she would go to an ice cream parlor with her mother every Friday and they would sit in the car and talk about their dreams.
“My mom and I have been obsessed with ice cream for ages. And now — I have some major ice cream dreams with Smize & Dream,” she wrote on Instagram.