Vice President Kamala Harris faced criticism after appearing in a glamorous Vogue photoshoot taken on the same day as the anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel. The attacks were carried out by Hamas militants, leading to the deaths of over 1,200 people, including women, children, and 12 Americans. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump marked the day differently—visiting the grave of a prominent Jewish rabbi with families of hostages.
The Backlash Over the Timing of the Photoshoot
The photoshoot was part of a feature on Kamala Harris published by Vogue magazine. The image was taken on October 7, the one-year anniversary of the attack that sparked a major war between Israel and Hamas. Critics, including Trump supporters and commentators, slammed Harris for focusing on a magazine feature while others were mourning the victims of the attack.
One Trump supporter wrote online:
“While bodies are still being found after Hurricane Helene, Kamala Harris was busy with a Vogue photoshoot.”
Former Trump advisor Steve Cortes added:
“She doesn’t care about Americans. All she cares about is power.”
What Trump Did Instead
On the same day, Donald Trump visited the grave of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a respected leader in the Jewish community, known as the Rebbe. Trump was accompanied by Holocaust survivors, supporters, and the family of Edan Alexander—an American hostage still held by Hamas. Trump’s visit was seen as a show of respect to Orthodox Jewish communities, who may support him in the upcoming elections.
During his visit, Trump laid a stone at the grave, read prayers, and showed support for the families of hostages.
Harris Defends Herself on Gaza and Israel
In her feature with Vogue, Harris addressed the October 7 attacks. She spoke about the tragedy and acknowledged the loss of lives on both sides:
“On October 7, 1,200 people were massacred, including women and young people. And far too many Palestinians have been killed.”
Harris described the conflict as “not binary,” meaning it’s not just a simple choice between two sides. She emphasized the difficulty of finding lasting peace in the Middle East.
How Biden and Harris Marked October 7
While Trump visited the grave, Harris marked the day with a quiet tree-planting ceremony at her home. She planted a pomegranate tree with her husband, Doug Emhoff, a Jewish American. The tree symbolized hope and peace.
President Joe Biden held a separate event at the White House to honor the victims of the attacks.
The Political Challenge for Harris
The war between Israel and Hamas is a sensitive issue for Harris as she prepares for elections. Many Democratic voters, especially in swing states like Michigan with large Muslim populations, want her to push harder for an end to the war. At the same time, she faces pressure to support Israel as part of U.S. foreign policy.
FAQs
- What happened on October 7?
On October 7, Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking 254 hostages, including Americans. - Why is Kamala Harris being criticized?
Harris was criticized for doing a photoshoot with Vogue on the one-year anniversary of the attack, which many saw as bad timing. - What did Donald Trump do on October 7?
Trump visited the grave of a prominent Jewish rabbi and showed support to families of hostages taken by Hamas. - What did Kamala Harris say about the conflict?
Harris acknowledged the October 7 attacks and expressed sadness over the loss of both Israeli and Palestinian lives. - How did Harris mark the anniversary?
She planted a pomegranate tree at her home with her husband to symbolize hope and peace.
