Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff came under fire for their shovel skills when they planted a tree in memory of the victims of the Oct. 7 attack.
The Vice President and Second Gentleman commemorated the anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel by planting a pomegranate tree on the grounds of his residence.
But netizens were quick to criticize the couple for their symbolic act, patting the floor in front of reporters at their Washington home on Monday.
‘They both can’t even hold a shovel properly! A child in a sandbox can do a better job!’ Heather wrote on Twitter/X.
Critics said the apparent difficulty using a shovel showed that Harris “did not grow up in a middle-class family.”
Some drew attention to his previous comments that he “grew up in a neighborhood of people who were very proud of their lawn.”
Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff plant a pomegranate tree at the vice president’s residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory on October 7.
Critics focused more on how Harris was using the shovel to plant the symbolic memorial tree.
On Threads, worldsgreat1 wrote: “Kamala Harris, I think you’ll be a great president, but put down that shovel now.”
The vice president took advantage of the occasion to reiterate calls for a ceasefire and the return of the hostages.
Collin Rugg shared the video on Twitter/X and added: “Kamala Harris, who grew up as a middle-class girl in a neighborhood where people cared about their lawn, has a hard time using a shovel with her husband.”
“Harris has centered his campaign around his ‘rising middle class,'” he added.
Brandon Morse added: “Kamala Harris trying to use a shovel is as awkward as Kamala Harris speaking without a teleprompter.”
Another user wrote: ‘Tell me you’ve never touched a shovel, without telling me you’ve never touched a shovel.’
On Threads, worldsgreat1 wrote: “Kamala Harris, I think you’ll be a great president, but put down that shovel now.”
Ashley G drew attention to her outfits, writing: ‘in a suit…doing yard work in a suit.’
In fact, Vice President Harris and her partner had gathered to plant a tree in somber tribute to the victims of the October 7 attack on Israel.
Harris said: “We must work to ensure that nothing like the horrors of October 7 can happen again.”
“And on this solemn day, I will reaffirm my promise to always ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and that I will always work to ensure the safety of the Jewish people here and around the world.”
Speaking before the symbolic tree planting and soil clearing, he noted that 46 Americans were killed in the Hamas-led raid last year.
“Today I know that many Jews will recite and reflect on the Jewish mourning prayer, the Kaddish,” he said.
‘The words of the prayer do not refer to death. It is a prayer about our enduring belief in God, even in our darkest moments.
“So, as we reflect on the horrors of October 7, let us remember that we cannot lose faith.”
Kamala Harris speaks to reporters and pledges to ‘always ensure Israel has what it needs’
The second couple marked the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks by planting a memorial tree, a tradition performed by second families on the grounds of the vice president’s residence.
He added that the pomegranate tree was chosen because it symbolizes hope and righteousness in Judaism.
As he spoke, pro-Palestinian protesters could be heard in the background.
Harris reiterated her commitment to freeing hostages still held in Gaza through a ceasefire to alleviate the “immense suffering” of Palestinian civilians.
Some 1,200 people were killed in the October 7 attacks when Hamas and allied factions swept into southern Israel with assault rifles and began shooting indiscriminately.
Israel has killed some 42,000 Palestinians in its retaliatory attacks, according to local medical officials, destroying large areas and displacing around 90% of its population.