Kamala Harris' signature word salad speech before receiving freed prisoners sparks hilarious jokes online

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND: Vice President Kamala Harris was not directly involved in the diplomatic efforts that led to the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan from Russian prisons. Nonetheless, she made a public appearance to greet them upon their return to the United States.

However, the event held at Joint Base Andrews saw Harris delivering one of her signature word salad speeches that drew a wave of mockery.

Kamala Harris makes rambling remarks about release of Americans

As the plane carrying the freed Americans landed just before midnight, Vice President Harris was there to welcome them. After embracing Gershkovich and Whelan, she addressed the assembled reporters.

"This is just an extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy and understands the strength that rests in understanding the significance of diplomacy," she said.

Harris, who is seen as a likely Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, appeared to struggle with her words, adding, "[A]nd strengthening alliances." She concluded with, "This is just an incredible day," as President Biden looked on.

Harris's rambling comments were widely mocked on social media.

"Kamala isn't ready for prime time. This is ridiculous," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"So that is why Kamala is not taking questions from the press," another chimed in.

"Even Biden was like wtf is she saying?" a third user quipped.

"She wanted to say 'unburdened by what has been' so badly," someone else added.

"If you are unsure whether or not Kamala Harris was a DEI hire, just listen to her speak off a teleprompter. The only place Kamala will lead people to is the word salad bar," read a comment.

"I like Kamala’s word salads better than Joe’s because she uses real words incomprehensibly and does not even have dementia as an excuse. She’s just an idiot!" another offered.

Americans freed in prisoner swap

The plane carrying Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland after departing from Ankara, Turkey, around 8 pm local time.

Gershkovich, a 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter, had been wrongfully accused of espionage and detained in Russia since March 29 of the previous year. Whelan, a 54-year-old former Marine, had been sentenced to 16 years in 2020 after being detained in Russia for two years on suspicion of spying. Kurmasheva had been sentenced to over six years in a Russian prison in a secret trial late the previous month.

After their release from Russian custody, the three individuals took a four-hour flight from Moscow to Ankara, followed by a ten-hour flight to the United States. Upon their arrival, they were greeted by Harris and Biden before reuniting with their families. Whelan, imprisoned for five-and-a-half years, disembarked first, followed by Gershkovich and then Kurmasheva.

Earlier in the day, President Biden, credited with negotiating the prisoners' release, delivered remarks from the White House alongside the hostages' relatives. He described the occasion as historic, stating, "Their brutal ordeal is over, and they're free."

Biden noted that the former prisoners had just left Russia and were on their way home and that he had already spoken to them on the phone. He noted the significance of the multi-nation deal involving seven countries, calling it "a feat of diplomacy" and a product of "friendship."

Russian state television also broadcast the agreement as a victory, showcasing President Vladimir Putin's reunion with eight Russian nationals who had been imprisoned overseas, including a man serving a life sentence in Germany for murder, the Daily Mail reported.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.