Trump denied specifically calling Harris a "tough, smart customer" as claimed in her recently published campaign memoir.
During an exclusive interview on Fox News' new program "The Sunday Briefing," Trump told senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy that he doesn't recall using those words. "I didn't call her that, that I know of, but I was nice to her," Trump stated in the interview that marked the debut of the new show.
The disputed comment appears in Harris' book chronicling her 2024 presidential campaign, according to a New York Times review. The review cited Harris' account of their conversation, where Trump allegedly said, "I am going to be so nice and respectful. You are a tough, smart customer, and I say that with great respect."
The alleged remarks from Trump were part of a broader conversation in which Harris claims she urged the president to help unify the country. According to the New York Times review of Harris' book, she wrote that she knew even while making the request that it was "a lost cause."
In addition to the disputed "tough, smart customer" comment, Harris wrote that Trump also complimented her name, allegedly saying, "And you also have a beautiful name. I got use of that name, it's Kamala." This detail adds another layer to the contested account of their post-election exchange.
While denying the specific wording Harris attributed to him, Trump acknowledged to Doocy that he had "met her a couple of times" and "was always nice to her." The president's recollection suggests a cordial but less effusive conversation than what Harris described in her memoir.
Trump used the interview opportunity to share his assessment of Harris' campaign performance. He expressed surprise at what he perceived as her underperformance, telling Doocy, "I thought Kamala would have done a better job than she did in terms of running, because we really won by a lot."
The president's comments suggest he expected a more competitive race against Harris. His characterization of the election as a decisive victory underscores his view that Harris failed to mount an effective challenge to his campaign.
Harris' book has already generated controversy beyond the disputed phone call. According to Fox News, some Biden aides have criticized portions of the book, with reports suggesting they felt Harris "was simply not good at the job" as vice president.
The interview where Trump addressed Harris' claims was part of the inaugural episode of "The Sunday Briefing" with Peter Doocy. The program's debut featured this exclusive conversation with the president on multiple topics beyond the Harris book controversy.
In a lighter moment during the interview, Trump helped Doocy record his first TikTok video. The president joked that he was "working very hard" to save the social media platform — and by extension, Doocy's new show.
The launch of "The Sunday Briefing" represents Fox News' continued expansion of its weekend programming lineup. Featuring Doocy, who has gained prominence through his White House coverage, the show aims to deliver news and interviews with key political figures.
Harris' book joins a long tradition of campaign memoirs from presidential candidates. These works typically offer behind-the-scenes accounts of campaigns and often include personal interactions with political opponents.
The disputed phone call highlights the subjective nature of such accounts, where participants may recall conversations differently. Presidential communications, especially concession calls, have historically been private moments that later become part of the public record through such memoirs.
Political observers note that campaign books serve multiple purposes, from shaping a candidate's legacy to positioning for future political endeavors. Harris' detailed account of the concession call appears to portray Trump as acknowledging her political skills privately while maintaining a different public posture.