The presenters of Pod Save America criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday for celebrating their portrayal as “good losers” in the face of Donald Trump.
On Monday, Harris faced the difficult role of overseeing a joint session of Congress that confirmed the results of her election loss. The 45-minute session sharply contrasted with the presidential election confirmation on January 6, 2021, when a violent mob of Trump supporters invaded the Capitol after he asserted that the election had been stolen.
Harris and Biden aimed to emphasize that distinction, with Harris sharing a video message committing to her “sacred obligation” to acknowledge her defeat. Biden also contributed an op-ed to The Washington Post on Monday urging Americans to always remember the events of January 6, 2021. Notably, both refrained from mentioning Trump.
The Pod Save America hosts, former speechwriters for Barack Obama, expressed their recognition of Biden and Harris for demonstrating “adult leadership” and respect for the democratic process. However, they expressed frustration over Democrats celebrating when they should instead be calling attention to Trump’s influence in the insurrection attempt.
“We’re good losers! That’s our new identity now,” said host Jon Lovett.
Co-host Jon Favreau emphasized that it’s possible to acknowledge the election results while also addressing the reality of the situation honestly.
“You could have easily stated, ‘Donald Trump incited an insurrection and deliberately misled the public about it. He’s attempting to distort history. He’s incorrect. He’s not fit for office. The American people may disagree with my view, but there’s no need for me to pretend that all is well,’” he expressed. “This doesn’t need to come across as, ‘Oh, let me congratulate myself for defending our institutions.’”
“There is this entire lexicon that Democrats need to just completely discard regarding institutions, democracy, sacred this, and so on,” Favreau added.
Lovett took particular offense at Biden’s lack of actionable guidance in his editorial.
“Here I am, recalling,” the events of January 6, he noted. “There’s no definitive next step offered to actually avert an insurrection or thwart a coup against our democracy. There’s no feeling of agency. We’re merely passengers.”
“Best of luck for the next four years,” Favreau interjected.
The sentiment came across as tone-deaf to the many individuals feeling angry and despondent over the reality that “the majority of Americans accepted a free and fair election that resulted in a president who attempted to overturn that very election,” he remarked.
“We all have to live with that.”
