Former Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about the economy as the top issue affecting women and talked about the need to prioritize “soft power” at a Saturday event ahead of the Michigan Democratic Party endorsement convention.

Her comments also included calling President Donald Trump “this insecure man” and his administration “the most corrupt, callous and incompetent… in the history of the United States.”

Harris spoke on the heels of a week spent hinting at a third bid for the presidency during events across the country. The former Democratic nominee for president in 2024 did not mention her ambitions during her short stop in Detroit on April 18.

But her comments – focused on the economy, the Iran War and midterm voting – line up with those of a 2028 presidential hopeful. She spent a good portion of her approximately 20-minute speech criticizing Trump and contrasting their approaches to diplomatic relations.

“We need to not just think of ourselves as benevolent, but as a partner,” she said.
At one point, Harris called the Iran War a “feeble attempt to distract from the Epstein files,” referencing convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein case. His administration’s handling of the release of a trove of the files has drawn criticism.

Harris also spoke about the economy as the top issue women should be paying attention to ahead of the midterms, calling it a reciprocal relationship.

“The ability of a woman to be healthy, the ability of a woman to be safe, is connected with her economic health and well-being and independence.” Harris said.

She told Michigan Democrats in attendance that when thinking about how to craft an agenda, it’s important to remember that “economic issues are women’s issues, and women’s issues are economic issues, and there is no separating the two.”

Harris was one of two keynote guest speakers advertised on a flyer to be attending the Michigan Democratic Party Women’s Caucus legacy luncheon, along with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey.

The event is part of the lead up to the party’s Sunday, April 19, endorsement convention.
Harris took the stage a little before 2 p.m. There appeared to be long delays, with officials announcing at around 1:45 p.m. — before Harris went on — that they’d have to vacate the room by 2:15 p.m.

Several Michigan elected leaders gave speeches in the interim, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. He’ll speak again on Saturday evening at a legacy dinner held to honor Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

It’s one of several public visits by Harris to Michigan so far this year. In February, she stopped in Detroit for an appearance on her book tour.

Harris was joined on stage by Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, who asked about the view of the Iran War from someone previously stationed inside the Oval Office.

“How much time do we have?” Harris responded.
She criticized Trump’s decision to involve the U.S. in the Iran War, which she said he was pulled into by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump has repeatedly denied that claim.

Harris contrasted what she described as Trump’s dismissal of diplomatic relations with her own time as vice president, when she said she met with over 150 world leaders.

“He has, one, in the eyes of our allies, made us unreliable,” Harris said. “And two, he has eroded whatever influence we had to be able to speak to certain issues.”

She said the country’s “soft power” is vital, expressed through diplomatic relations and programs like USAID (United States Agency for International Development), which administers civilian foreign aid and has faced expansive cuts in Trump’s second term.

“The man doesn’t understand what real strength looks like, and he overcompensates full time, trying to pretend that basically, he’s some kind of mob boss,” Harris said. She followed the statement with what appeared to be an impression of Trump.

“Speaking truth, being trustworthy, being consistent. He has failed on all accounts,” she said, adding that “nature abhors a vacuum,” and countries like China will fill the void the U.S. has left behind.

Harris said she believes the Democratic party is going to win the midterms, but added that it’s going to be difficult, attributing the challenges to redistricting efforts in Republican-led states. Democrats have also pushed for redistricting.

Harris also mentioned the SAVE Act, a bill now stalled in the U.S. Senate that would require people to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and require photo ID to vote in federal elections.

“Our work is cut out for us, Michigan Democrats,” Harris said, urging voters to check their registration and polling location status.

“We’re gonna win,” she said, “And the win is going to happen because of the Democrats right here in this room.”

Booker, who spoke before Harris, talked about his family ties to Detroit and the need to energize Democrats. He recalled his grandparents’ experience joining a union in Detroit after moving there from the south during the Great Depression.

“They could turn their pain into purpose,” Booker said.
He also encouraged Michigan voters to move away from the traditional “Michigan hand” gesture — used by locals to depict their state — and instead use the “Michigan fist.”

“I don’t want the Michigan hand after your convention,” he said. “…I want the Michigan fist. I want you all to unite. I want you to punch a hole in the wall of resistance.”

The MDP convention is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., in Detroit. It’s intended to give campaign and fundraising advantages to Democrats running for big statewide races like attorney general and secretary of state.

Republicans held a similar convention last month. These conventions precede a more official nominating process in the fall.

After credentialing and caucus meetings throughout the morning, convention business will begin at 3 p.m. A full schedule can be found online.

To vote on endorsements at the Democratic convention, individuals must be members of the party for at least 30 days prior to the event.

Membership is open and does not require a financial contribution, but members must complete the party’s credentialing process in order to vote.