On Friday night, HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher became the stage for a pointed critique of Kamala Harris’s new memoir, 107 Days, setting off ripples across the political spectrum and sparking fresh debate about the Democratic Party’s direction in the wake of the 2024 election. The episode, aired on October 4, 2025, saw host Bill Maher take aim at Harris’s post-campaign reflections, with CNN political commentator Van Jones—once a vocal supporter of Harris—applauding and laughing along, despite his own emotional investment in her candidacy just months before.
Maher didn’t hold back. He joked that Harris’s memoir "should have been called Everyone Sucks But Me" rather than 107 Days, lampooning what he described as her penchant for finger-pointing in the aftermath of her failed presidential campaign. "In 107 days, nothing is ever Kamala's fault," Maher quipped, his words met with guffaws and clapping from Jones, whose visible enjoyment was repeatedly caught by the camera. According to Daily Mail, this moment stood in stark contrast to Jones’s earlier public anguish over Harris’s loss, highlighting the shifting dynamics among Democratic commentators and strategists.
For those who followed the 2024 election, Van Jones’s reaction was particularly striking. On November 5, 2024, as it became apparent that Donald Trump would secure a second term, Jones had appeared on CNN, visibly emotional and on the verge of tears. He warned viewers, "It would not be the liberal elites who suffer under a second Donald Trump term, but many of the conservative's supporters." Wearing his "I Voted" pin, Jones reflected on the dashed hopes of many Americans, especially African American women who, as he put it, "know a little bit about being talked down to, and know a little bit about having their economic dreams crushed, who tried to dream a big dream over the past couple of months. And tonight, they’re trading in a lot of hope for a lot of hurt. They were hoping that maybe this time—this time—one of their own could be seen as worthy."
Jones’s longstanding support for Harris is well documented. In an interview with Rolling Out just weeks before the election, he said, "I’ve known Kamala Harris for 30 years. I voted for Kamala as District Attorney in San Francisco when we were growing up. I voted for her for attorney general, senator, vice president, and will vote for her for president." His deep personal investment in Harris’s political journey made his reaction to Maher’s mockery all the more surprising to viewers.
The political backdrop to this televised exchange was the ongoing government shutdown, which began after Democratic leaders failed to secure a funding bill for the upcoming year. According to Daily Mail, Jones expressed "concern" about the Democratic leadership’s strategy, specifically referencing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. "The weird thing is, I talked to Chuck Schumer about this like three months ago, and he was kicking me in the butt because I had been tough on him for not allowing the government to shut down," Jones recounted. "And he convinced me that shutting the government down is stupid. Then I turn on the TV and he says, 'We're now shutting the government down.' Maybe it'll work," he added, a note of skepticism in his voice.
The government shutdown, which entered its latest phase in early October 2025, has become a focal point for criticism from both sides of the aisle. Democrats have blamed the impasse on Trump and the GOP, arguing that Republicans are refusing to protect millions of Americans’ healthcare. With a 53–47 Republican majority in the Senate, seven Democratic votes are needed to pass the GOP’s version of the funding bill. Infighting within the Democratic Party has only intensified since Schumer’s controversial deal with Republicans in March, which failed to yield significant concessions. The resulting deadlock has left the government at a standstill and Democratic unity in question.
Meanwhile, Harris’s memoir, 107 Days, has itself become a lightning rod for debate. As reviewed in the Denver Post on October 5, 2025, the book is written in a diary-like format, counting down the days to the 2024 election and defending Harris’s campaign decisions, actions, and statements. The review, penned by Kathleen Lance, notes that Harris’s loyalty to Joe Biden is "unswerving" and her appreciation for her staff "bottomless," but her assessments of fellow Democrats are "sometimes adoring, sometimes scathing." Notably, Harris relies on the words of others to deliver negative assessments, except in expressing her clear contempt for her opponents.
Despite a few glimpses of emotion, the memoir is described as more of a "checklist of selected events to relate, misperceptions to clarify" than a deeply personal narrative. Harris herself addresses her guarded demeanor, writing, "I couldn’t let down my guard, couldn’t take off my armor. If I unclenched, if I remembered what it was like to be normal, I might not be in shape to handle the next blow." The Denver Post reviewer adds, "I only hope that she can, by now, remember what it is like to be 'normal.'" The book ultimately received a respectable three out of four stars.
The mixed reception of 107 Days reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party and among its supporters. For some, Harris’s attempt to clarify her decisions and defend her record is seen as necessary and overdue, especially after a bruising campaign marked by intense scrutiny and criticism. For others, the memoir’s tone and approach reinforce perceptions of defensiveness and a lack of accountability—a critique amplified by Maher’s televised takedown.
As the government shutdown drags on, Democratic leaders face mounting pressure to break the impasse and present a united front. Jones’s public wavering—oscillating between emotional support for Harris and open criticism of party strategy—mirrors the uncertainty felt by many within the party’s base. The question now is whether the Democrats can regroup, learn from the lessons of 2024, and chart a path forward that resonates with both their core supporters and the broader electorate.
Ultimately, the events of the past week—Maher’s sharp satire, Jones’s visible ambivalence, and the ongoing legislative gridlock—underscore the challenges facing the Democratic Party as it seeks to define its identity and strategy in a rapidly shifting political landscape. Harris’s memoir, for all its attempts at clarification and self-defense, has become a symbol of these broader struggles, prompting both introspection and debate among party faithful and critics alike.
For now, the Democratic Party’s future remains uncertain, shaped by the interplay of personalities, policy disputes, and the enduring question of how to rebuild trust and momentum after a historic defeat. As commentators, strategists, and everyday voters continue to grapple with these issues, one thing is clear: the conversation is far from over.
