Speaking to a crowd of energized supporters at the Leading Women Defined Summit in California, former Vice President Kamala Harris didn’t hold back as she reflected on the chaos unfolding just months into Donald Trump’s return to the White House. And while she stopped short of saying “I told you so,” her message was crystal clear — this isn’t the America she warned about, it’s worse.
“There were many things we knew were gonna happen,” Harris said, referencing her rushed 2024 campaign after President Biden unexpectedly dropped out of the race. “I’m not gonna say ‘I told you so,’” she added, triggering a wave of applause and cheers from the audience in Dana Point.
Founded by former BET CEO Debra Lee, the summit brings together powerful women of color to discuss leadership and change. On that stage, Harris didn’t mince words about what she says has been undone since Trump’s second term began.
“This is a very different time than in 2016,” she told the crowd. “A lot has changed.” She then laid out a grim list of what she sees as a reversal of progress: major policies rolled back, fear spreading like wildfire, and constitutional norms being trampled. “We are seeing people stay quiet. We are seeing organizations stay quiet. We are seeing capitulation to clearly unconstitutional threats,” she warned.
And the numbers seem to back her up. In less than 100 days, Trump has already canceled nearly 80 executive orders signed by Biden, slashed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, approved mass federal layoffs, and introduced sweeping global tariffs that have shaken the stock market.
In a moment that felt part rallying cry, part warning, Harris reminded the audience of their strength and influence. “There’s great power in this room,” she said. “And yes, the world is watching. But more importantly, there are people counting on us — to be kind, to be fierce, and to be together.”
As fear rises, Harris insists it’s courage that must become contagious.
