Vice President Kamala Harris was rebuffed when he tried to exchange pleasantries with the husband of a Republican senator, leading to an awkward viral video.
Republican Sen. Deb Fischer’s husband, Bruce, refused to shake Harris’ outstretched hand during the swearing-in ceremony.
After Fischer was sworn in, the Nebraska senator and Harris shook hands and the two graciously thanked each other for their service to the country.
Then Harris turned to Bruce and said, “Thank you. Congratulations,” before offering him a handshake by extending her hand.
Bruce, who didn’t seem to have looked Harris in the eye during the entire swearing-in ceremony, then looks at the VP for a split second, says “thank you,” and awkwardly looks away.
A few moments before Harris jokingly commented on how uncomfortable Bruce seemed.
“It’s okay, I won’t bite,” Harris says as Bruce refuses to look at her as he finds where to stand for the swearing-in ceremony.
“Don’t worry,” Harris continues, raising an eyebrow at Senator Fischer, the vice president’s longtime colleague in the Senate.
Bruce Fischer didn’t make much eye contact with Vice President Kamala Harris when she addressed him at the swearing-in ceremony on Friday. When she offered to shake his hand, he said “thank you,” looked away and declined Harris’ offer for a handshake
Harris shook hands with Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., immediately before the dust settled with Bruce
Although not clearly seen in the clip, a stick that Bruce held with his right hand is the same one he would have had to use to shake Harris’s.
Videos showing the bizarre interaction between the vice president and the Senate spouse have since racked up millions of views and sparked fierce debate over which party is to blame.
‘WOW! Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer’s husband REFUSED to shake Kamala’s hand and can barely look her in the eye,” wrote pro-MAGA commentator David Harris Jr. in response to the clip.
“Thank you, sir, for representing every American whose lives were destroyed by her and Joe’s policies,” he continued on X.
“Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer’s husband completely ignored Kamala and her attempted handshake,” the conservative Libs of TikTok X account posted alongside a laughing emoji.
“This guy is my kind of guy. Kamala came in for a handshake and was promptly embarrassed. I think she realizes no one likes her,” wrote conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman.
But others said the interaction was rude and that Bruce’s rejection of the VP was inappropriate.
“The man just couldn’t get over himself,” posted One X account called Peacemaker.
Bruce held a stick with his right hand during the ceremony
Vice President Kamala Harris, right, shakes hands with Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., during a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025
The liberal report Call to Activism wrote of the interaction: “I can’t stop watching this asshole of a Republican Senator Deb Fischer refuse to shake hands with Vice President Kamala Harris today.”
“MAGA is classless even in victory,” the post said.
Fischer said in a news release summarizing the ceremony, “I am humbled by the faith and trust Nebraskan has placed in me as I take this oath for the third time.”
“I will not betray that trust, and I will not betray that faith. I ask for your prayers for wisdom and strength so that I may know and follow God’s guidance as I continue to serve the people and state I love.”
Fischer’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the viral interaction.