Podcast Summary
The Breakfast Club – Charlamagne Tha God Conversation with Former VP Kamala Harris Pt1
Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: Kamala Harris (Former Vice President)
Location: Birmingham, AL
Episode Overview
This episode features a candid, wide-ranging conversation between Charlamagne Tha God and former Vice President Kamala Harris, centered on her new book reflecting on her 107 days at the top of the 2024 ticket, the state of American democracy and politics, her honest self-reflection on leadership, and the urgent fights ahead. The live audience event also touched on her relationship with Joe Biden, issues of ambition and voice, the role of truth in politics, challenges facing the Democratic Party, policy disappointment, Gaza/Palestine, and audience Q&A about civil rights, leadership, and youth empowerment.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Kamala’s Book and Reflection on the 107 Days
[02:41–06:49]
- Writing the Book: Kamala says the book is a result of a period of deep reflection post-election, something she hadn’t allowed herself before. She discusses the emotional highs, lows, and how she hopes to rekindle optimism in troubled times.
- “We cannot let the outcome of one election or one individual or circumstance dim or extinguish that light that is in each of us…especially in moments of darkness.” — Kamala Harris [06:31]
- Book’s Purpose: She clarifies that she wrote the book not for pundits, but to speak her truth and hold herself accountable.
- “I do believe that God will judge us not based on what other people say about us, but based on what we do.” — Kamala Harris [07:33]
Finding Her Voice & Lessons from the Vice Presidency
[08:05–10:32]
- Not "Finding" Her Voice: Harris insists her voice was never lost, but recognizes the unique challenges of being number two for the first time in her career.
- Policy Regrets: Reflects that she would have prioritized social policies (child tax credit, paid leave, child care) before infrastructure/CHIPS Act if she could redo the administration’s agenda.
- “If I had to do it again…I would have first done the family piece.” — Kamala Harris [09:17]
Democratic Messaging and Public Perceptions
[10:32–13:11]
- Discusses challenges getting the message out about Democratic economic success and the prevalence of misinformation.
- “I do believe…one third of the voters voted for the current president, one third voted for us, and one third did not vote.” — Kamala Harris [11:03]
- “He did not tell the truth…as evident with the fact that price of groceries is up, inflation is up, unemployment is up.” — Kamala Harris [12:42]
Power of Information & Disinformation
[13:13–16:49]
- Argues that mis/disinformation is one of democracy’s greatest threats. Emphasizes separating facts from information and the need for collective vigilance to uphold the truth.
- “Part of one of the biggest challenges to our democracy is mis and disinformation, which is rampant and is everywhere.” — Kamala Harris [13:47]
Corruption, Gaslighting, and Power
[16:52–17:29]
- Blames the administration’s “corruption and incompetence” for the nation’s crises and criticizes the scapegoating of disenfranchised groups.
- “This is one of the most corrupt, callous, and incompetent presidents…We've ever had…” — Kamala Harris [15:08]
Project 2025, Decades-Long Agenda, and Democratic Weakness
[17:43–24:18]
-
Harris explains the systematic, decades-long plan of right-wing institutions (Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, etc.) to reshape American governance, likening today’s problems to a “high velocity event” not random chaos.
-
“Let's not conflate what feels chaotic with what is actually a high velocity event. That is about the swift implementation of a plan that has been decades in the making. That's what we are witnessing.” — Kamala Harris [19:03]
-
She laments the “capitulation” of business leaders and politicians who fail to stand up to authoritarianism.
Political Courage, Self-Preservation, and the Dem Party’s Future
[29:37–35:48]
- On criticism of playing it safe: “I didn't write it [the book] for [critics]. Period.” — Kamala Harris [29:44]
- Calls for politicians across the spectrum to “speak truth” and decries both Democratic finger-pointing and Republican party discipline that enables wrongdoing.
- “This is not a time to splice and dice words. It’s a time to speak truth.” — Kamala Harris [30:13]
- Praises Democrats showing more fighting spirit in the face of Republican dirty tricks:
- “We need to fight fire with fire.” — Kamala Harris [35:04]
Biden, Leadership, and Moral Conflict
[36:08–49:52]
- Discusses painful disagreements over Gaza policy, feeling the administration didn’t fully express “empathy for Palestinians” or use leverage.
- “I firmly believe we could have done more. We had a certain level of leverage that we did not exercise...” — Kamala Harris [36:44]
- Admits she often fought internally on these issues, sometimes feeling complicit, but also insists on the importance of confidentiality in the VP-Pres relationship.
Loyalty, Ambition, and the Nature of Power
[54:20–57:41]
- Challenges the idea that ambition is a flaw; instead, she frames it as an American virtue.
- “I applaud ambition in people. And I think that part of the challenge that we face is to look at someone, especially our young people, and say their ambition is a bad thing. As though it is a fault of character instead of a strength of character…” — Kamala Harris [55:10]
- Speaks openly about loyalty, acknowledging it might be a weakness but it’s her inherent nature.
Biden’s Legacy, Decision to Run Again, and Kamala’s Honest Appraisal
[57:41–61:21]
- Harris is open about not talking Biden out of a 2024 re-election run, worrying that to do so would be viewed as self-serving.
- “On reflection, I think...I perhaps should have said something to him about that, suggesting he reconsider running. And there are a number of reasons I did not including that I did believe that to do that would come off as being very self serving and therefore not effective.” — Kamala Harris [59:47]
- Explains the complexity of supporting the president as friend vs. serving the country as a leader.
Audience Q&A: Voting Rights, Supreme Court, and Gen Z
[61:32–71:44]
- Vigorously defends the Voting Rights Act and expresses concern over Supreme Court attacks on civil rights.
- Calls for renewed focus on local and state-level political battles. Points to Democratic neglect at these levels as a "price we’re paying."
- “The future of our democracy is not only going to be determined by who sits in the White House. It is all of these positions. And therefore we do have power at a local level.” — Kamala Harris [65:21]
- Advocates lowering the national voting age to 16, arguing for youth involvement in democracy.
- “I believe that part of what we need to do to fix things is lower the voting age to 16.” — Kamala Harris [71:17]
Empowerment & The Fight Ahead
[71:47–76:32]
- Gives empowering advice to a 17-year-old on being “too ambitious,” urging young women not to internalize others' limitations.
- Calls for collective action, using “our voice, our vote, our pocketbook, our community” as weapons in the ongoing fight for democracy and social justice.
- “The strength of our ability to create community…to remind each other we’re not alone, we are all in this together. And that’s our weapon among these people that are trying to divide our country.” — Kamala Harris [74:39]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “We cannot let the outcome of one election or one individual or circumstance dim or extinguish that light that is in each of us…especially in moments of darkness.” — Kamala Harris [06:31]
- “Part of one of the biggest challenges to our democracy is mis and disinformation, which is rampant and is everywhere.” — Kamala Harris [13:47]
- “Let's not conflate what feels chaotic with what is actually a high velocity event. That is about the swift implementation of a plan that has been decades in the making.” — Kamala Harris [19:03]
- “I applaud ambition in people...as though it is a fault of character instead of a strength of character.” — Kamala Harris [55:10]
- “I believe that part of what we need to do to fix things is lower the national voting age to 16.” — Kamala Harris [71:17]
- “Don’t allow yourself to be limited...by other people’s limited ability to see what’s possible. Don’t let their limitations be yours.” — Kamala Harris to young women [72:19]
Timestamps for Major Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------|-----------| | Kamala welcomed on stage | 02:15 | | Reflection on the 107 Days, book writing| 03:18–06:49| | Democratic messaging, economy | 10:32–13:13| | Misinformation/disinformation threat | 13:13–16:49| | Project 2025, GOP planning | 17:29–24:18| | Political courage & Dem Party | 29:37–35:48| | Gaza/Palestine, being true to self | 36:08–49:52| | Biden’s legacy, ambition, loyalty | 54:20–61:21| | Voting Rights Act, Supreme Court | 61:32–67:30| | Lowering voting age, Gen Z | 67:41–71:44| | Empowerment, fight ahead | 72:01–76:32|
Tone & Atmosphere
- Candid, unscripted, and often personal.
- Kamala is honest and direct, at times reflective and at others, combative ("fight fire with fire").
- Audience and Charlamagne create an engaging, supportive environment, challenging Harris on tough issues and also offering affirmation.
- The conversation is urgent about the state of democracy but determinedly optimistic, emphasizing agency, activism, and collective power.
For Those Who Haven’t Listened
This episode is a must-hear for anyone interested in contemporary American politics, democracy under threat, and the inner workings of recent Democratic leadership. Harris is more unfiltered than in office, grappling with her own and her party’s missteps, advocating youth empowerment, and making a forceful call to action. Young people, activists, critics, and supporters alike will find new insights—and a sense of both the gravity and hope in the fights ahead.