Ex‑Dem Fundraiser Says Kamala Harris Was Court‑ing Biden Donors Just Days Before His Exit

When you hear a story about a political insider turning on their own party, you tend to raise an eyebrow. That’s exactly what happened this week when Lindy Li – a once‑trusted Democratic fundraiser who recently switched parties – went on the record with some pretty damning accusations.

Li says Kamala Harris, now the nation’s vice president, spent a series of private phone calls with the same big‑ticket donors who have been supporting President Joe Biden for years. The twist? Harris apparently told those donors that Biden was “still in the race” and could still win in 2024, even as she was quietly laying the groundwork to replace him.

According to Li’s new book, the calls took place in the last week of June, just days before news broke that Biden was seriously considering stepping aside. "She was smiling, saying ‘Joe’s still fighting,’ while at the same time asking, ‘Where do you see me in the next administration?’" Li wrote.

The former operative claims Harris’s approach was nothing short of a charade – a public show of loyalty paired with a private pursuit of the donor network that could finance her own campaign. "It felt like a magic trick," Li told Fox News. "You see one hand waving a flag for Biden, the other hand is already reaching for the cash pile."

Li, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year, says she warned her colleagues that Biden’s prospects were waning. When her cautions fell on deaf ears, she says she decided to go public. "I’m not out to smear anyone," she added, "I just want people to know what’s really happening behind the scenes."

The allegations have stirred a flurry of reactions on both sides of the aisle. Some Democrats have dismissed Li’s claims as “political theater” from a recent party‑switcher, while others say they raise legitimate questions about transparency in fundraising.

Harris’s team has not yet responded to the specific accusations, but a spokesperson did issue a standard statement emphasizing the vice president’s “commitment to uniting the Democratic base.” Whether that statement holds any water in the eyes of donors who heard a different story on the phone remains to be seen.

In any case, the episode adds another layer to the already chaotic 2024 primary season. With Biden’s future hanging in the balance, the scramble for money – and loyalty – among top-tier donors is likely only going to intensify.