People Have A LOT To Say About This GOP Senator's Husband Seemingly Refusing To Shake Kamala Harris's Hand

    "Black woman to Black woman, I recognize every single breath, facial expression, and physical reaction to what Kamala Harris is experiencing."

    Michaela Bramwell
    by Michaela Bramwell

    BuzzFeed Staff

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    Vice President Kamala Harris has gone viral this week for an awkward incident during a swearing-in of a newly-elected senator from Nebraska.

    Two women in formal suits shake hands at a formal event, while a man in a suit observes. The setting appears to be official or ceremonial
    Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP News

    During the swearing-in ceremony for Republican Sen. Deb Fischer, her husband, Bruce Fischer, has gone viral for seemingly ignoring Kamala Harris's attempt to shake his hand.

    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
    CSPAN / Twitter: @NoLieWithBTC

    At the start of the full video, Harris warmly greets Sen. Fischer and her family as they approach. "How are you, hi," Harris says to Sen. Fischer's husband as he walks to stand beside his wife.

    A group of people in formal attire are conversing in a room with red drapes. A woman in a green suit is smiling
    C-SPAN

    Sen. Fischer then gestures for her husband to stand closer to the vice president as he holds the Bible for her to swear in on, but he is seemingly reluctant. "It's okay, I won't bite," Harris says, seemingly recognizing his hesitation. "I'm not gonna bite."

    Three people having a conversation in a formal setting; one holds a book, suggesting an official or ceremonial context
    C-SPAN

    Sen. Fischer can be heard laughing while her husband looks at Harris with a serious facial expression. 

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    At the conclusion of the ceremony, Harris tells Sen. Fischer, "Congratulations, thank you for your work," and shakes her hand.

    A woman in formal attire shakes hands with another woman in a suit, in a ceremonial setting with curtains and marble walls in the background
    C-SPAN

    Harris then reaches out to shake Bruce Fischer's hand, but he hands his wife the Bible, avoids eye contact, mumbles 'thank you,' and places his hand into his pocket.

    Three people at an official ceremony with one holding a book and another extending a right hand, possibly taking an oath
    C-SPAN

    This is Harris's reaction afterwards:

    Three people are standing together. A woman in a suit is smiling next to a man dressed formally. The setting suggests a formal or official event
    C-SPAN

    You can watch the full-minute interaction here.

    Wow. The full video of the exchange between @VP @kamalaharris, Nebraska @SenatorFischer and her asshole husband, Bruce, is even worse. This bastard - a professor at @UNLincoln - was so scared to stand next to her that VP Harris literally said, "It's ok. I won't bite. Don't… pic.twitter.com/wQBj9sT37d

    — rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) January 6, 2025
    CSPAN / Twitter: @rolandsmartin

    The clip has now received over 14 million views, and many people online are describing Bruce Fischer's actions as "petty."

    "So petty. Of course she’s above it all like a BOSS!" Kerstin Emhoff, the second gentleman's ex-wife, wrote.

    So petty. Of course she’s above it all like a BOSS! https://t.co/tQd2z5yfxp

    — Kerstin Emhoff (@keprettybird) January 6, 2025
    CSPAN / Twitter: @keprettybird

    "The way so called adults act on the political stage is so deeply troubling. He acts like Harris did something to him personally to act like this."

    The way so called adults act on the political stage is so deeply troubling. He acts like Harris did something to him personally to act like this. https://t.co/WlZ8j829my

    — Walter M. Kimbrough (@HipHopPrez) January 6, 2025
    CSPAN / Twitter: @HipHopPrez

    "They have no home training," another user agreed.

    They have no home training https://t.co/Yfr3eWVmCy

    — Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) January 6, 2025
    CSPAN / Twitter: @ElieNYC

     "I bet he has Christian or something in his bio"

    I bet he has Christian or something in his bio https://t.co/QA1TkAHx9W

    — Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) January 6, 2025
    CSPAN / Twitter: @Bakari_Sellers

    One user made a connection between Fischer's treatment of VP Harris and the outcome of the 2024 election. "Keep thinking there was some messaging issue for Democrats. Keep thinking visits to midwestern diners will get to 'the real reason' people re-elected a felon responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. THIS is the truth of America... right here."

    Keep thinking there was some messaging issue for Democrats.

    Keep thinking visits to midwestern diners will get to "the real reason" people re-elected a felon responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths.

    THIS is the truth of America... right here. https://t.co/ccQWzlOkz1

    — Darryn M. Briggs (@darryn_briggs) January 6, 2025
    CSPAN / Twitter: @darryn_briggs

    Many Black users sympathized with Harris's experience of being disrespected as a Black woman.

    "What an absolutely pathetic display of fragility and hate. The bare minimum—shaking someone’s hand—is apparently too much for these people. This is cave-dweller behavior, plain and simple. No class, no decency, just pure spite," this user wrote.

    What an absolutely pathetic display of fragility and hate. The bare minimum—shaking someone’s hand—is apparently too much for these people.

    This is cave-dweller behavior, plain and simple.

    No class, no decency, just pure spite. pic.twitter.com/R5FcpEkIt3

    — Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) January 6, 2025
    CSPAN / Twitter: @allenanalysis

    "Black woman to Black woman, I recognize every single breath, facial expression, and physical reaction to what Kamala Harris is experiencing. So no, you can't gaslight me because I SEE her," this user wrote.

    Black woman to Black woman, I recognize every single breath, facial expression, and physical reaction to what Kamala Harris is experiencing. So no, you can't gaslight me because I SEE her. https://t.co/fGo053WtnV

    — Reecie @BlackWomenViews (@ReecieColbert) January 6, 2025
    CSPAN / Twitter: @ReecieColbert

    "Nothing says MAGA more than an old white man holding the Bible while refusing to acknowledge a powerful woman."

    Nothing says MAGA more than an old white man holding the Bible while refusing to acknowledge a powerful woman.

    — Covie (@covie_93) January 6, 2025
    Twitter: @covie_93

    Some users suggested giving Bruce Fischer the benefit of the doubt regarding his intent toward Kamala Harris, mentioning that he was holding a cane in his right hand. Still, a video clip of Bruce Fischer making direct eye contact and shaking then-vice president Mike Pence's hand after his wife was sworn in has resurfaced.

    People attending the U.S. Senate ceremonial swearing-in. A man in a suit shakes hands with another in a navy suit and tie. Text on screen identifies location and time
    C-SPAN

    And during his wife's swearing-in ceremony in 2013, Fischer also greeted and shook hands with then-vice president Biden.

    A man in a suit shakes hands with another man during a U.S. Senate mock swearing-in event. Several people are seen standing nearby
    CSPAN / Via youtube.com

    So, what are your thoughts? Was this a misunderstanding or something more intentional? Let us know in the comments below.

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