A swearing-in ceremony at Congress sparked controversy when Vice President Kamala Harris extended her hand to Senator Deb Fischer's husband.
According to the New York Post, liberal critics accused Bruce Fischer, husband of Republican Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska, of deliberately snubbing Vice President Harris's handshake during the ceremony, but footage revealed he was holding a cane in his right hand at the time.
The incident occurred last Friday during Senator Fischer's swearing-in, where Harris, 60, initially shook the senator's hand and thanked her for her work. When the Vice President extended her hand to Bruce Fischer and offered congratulations, he responded with a "Thank you" but did not reciprocate the handshake, leading to an awkward moment captured on camera.
Liberal commentators quickly took to social media platform X to express their outrage over what they perceived as a deliberate slight.
Podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen characterized the interaction as representative of "MAGA" behavior, while radio host Roland Martin dismissed explanations about the cane, claiming Fischer deliberately put his hand in his pocket.
Don Winslow, an author, went further in his criticism, using strong language to condemn Bruce Fischer's behavior and questioning his manners. The incident garnered attention from both sides of the political spectrum, with some conservatives celebrating what they viewed as a snub of the Vice President.
Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway attempted to provide context to the situation, pointing out that the viral clips failed to show Fischer's hand was occupied with a cane during the interaction.
The ceremony marked the beginning of Senator Fischer's third term, following a surprisingly competitive race in traditionally Republican Nebraska. Her challenger, independent candidate Dan Osborn, mounted a stronger-than-expected campaign in the 2024 election cycle.
The timing of the incident gained additional significance as Senator Fischer went on to serve as a teller during Monday's congressional certification of the 2024 presidential election results. This role placed her in a position to read through state electoral results during the certification process.
The joint session of Congress for the certification was presided over by Vice President Harris, creating an interesting dynamic following the controversial handshake incident just days before.
The viral handshake incident between Vice President Harris and Bruce Fischer highlights how quickly social media can amplify and misinterpret brief moments during official ceremonies.
The event occurred during Senator Deb Fischer's swearing-in ceremony, where her husband's inability to shake hands due to holding a cane led to widespread criticism and debate across social media platforms.
The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of Senator Fischer's successful reelection campaign and her subsequent role in certifying the 2024 presidential election results, demonstrating how even routine congressional ceremonies can become focal points for partisan discussion in today's political climate.
