Former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a stark warning to Democrats on Friday, arguing that the American dream is increasingly out of reach for millions of people and that her own party bears some responsibility for the public’s growing disillusionment.
Speaking to members of the Democratic National Committee during their winter meeting, Harris said restoring trust in government will require more than simply moving on from President Donald Trump. She urged Democrats to confront deeper structural failures in the political and economic system.
“For many Americans, the American dream now feels more like a myth than a reality,” Harris said, calling for greater honesty about why faith in public institutions has eroded.
Harris, who ran unsuccessfully for president and has recently been touring the country promoting her new book, expanded on critiques she has made earlier this year about what she describes as a broken political system. She argued that both major parties have failed to meet voters’ expectations and address their everyday struggles.
“People see government as incapable of responding to their needs,” she said, adding that Americans are justified in feeling let down by institutions meant to support them.
The remarks followed an enthusiastic reception from party activists, who welcomed Harris with chants as she took the stage. After briefly highlighting recent Democratic electoral successes, Harris pivoted to a more sobering message, cautioning against focusing solely on upcoming elections.
She called on Democrats to think beyond the next midterms and consider what kind of governing vision should follow the current administration. When an audience member shouted encouragement suggesting a future presidential run, Harris did not respond directly or signal plans for another campaign.
While she avoided explicit references to 2028, Harris outlined themes that could shape a future political message, including the need for what she described as a “civic renewal.” She cited challenges such as job disruption from artificial intelligence, the influence of social media, and the concentration of power among economic elites as factors undermining opportunity.
Harris also warned against romanticizing the past, arguing that returning to pre-Trump politics would not solve longstanding problems. “We can’t settle for going back to a system that was already failing too many people,” she said.
Public opinion data appears to reflect some of Harris’ concerns. Recent polling shows that a significant share of Americans, particularly younger voters and Democrats, believe the American dream no longer exists.
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