London, UK – October 25, 2025 – Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has indicated she is open to another bid for the presidency in 2028, stating in her first interview with a British broadcaster that she remains committed to public service despite her loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 election. The remarks, made to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg program set to air this weekend, mark Harris's most direct comments on her political future since leaving office in January 2025.
Excerpts released on the BBC's website on Friday reveal Harris expressing optimism about women in the White House and refusing to rule out her own candidacy. "I am not done," she declared. "I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones." When pressed on whether a woman could become president during her grandnieces' lifetime, Harris affirmed, "in her grandnieces’ lifetime, for sure." Asked directly if that woman could be her, she responded: "Possibly."
The interview comes amid Harris's promotional tour for her newly released memoir, 107 Days, which chronicles her abbreviated 2024 presidential campaign. Launched after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July 2024, Harris's bid lasted just over three months before her defeat to Trump in November. The book, published by Penguin Random House, has already climbed bestseller lists, with early sales figures reported by Nielsen BookScan showing over 250,000 copies sold in its first week.
Harris, 61, served as vice president from 2021 to 2025 and previously held roles as California's attorney general from 2011 to 2017 and as a U.S. senator from 2017 to 2021. Her 2024 campaign focused on themes of democracy, reproductive rights, and economic equity, garnering support from progressive Democrats but facing challenges in swing states. Trump secured 312 electoral votes to Harris's 226, according to certified results from the Electoral College.
In the BBC discussion, Harris dismissed recent opinion polls that position her behind other potential 2028 Democratic contenders. A Quinnipiac University poll released last month placed her at 18% support among likely Democratic primary voters, trailing figures such as California Governor Gavin Newsom at 22% and even non-politician Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who polled at 20% in a hypothetical field. Johnson, the actor and former professional wrestler, has flirted with political ambitions but has not declared any intent to run.
"If I listened to polls, I would not have run for my first office or my second office, and I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here," Harris retorted. She referenced her underdog victories in earlier races, including her 2003 election as San Francisco district attorney and her 2010 win for California attorney general, both of which defied pre-election surveys.
The former vice president used the platform to sharply criticize President Trump, labeling him a "tyrant" and asserting that her 2024 campaign warnings about his administration have been validated. "He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice – and he has done exactly that," Harris claimed.
She pointed to the recent suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel from his ABC late-night show as evidence of Trump's expanding influence over media and federal institutions. Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, was placed on indefinite hiatus last week following a monologue joking about conservative commentators and Trump allies. ABC cited "network standards" for the decision, but sources within the company, speaking anonymously to The New York Times, linked it to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), now under Trump-appointed leadership.
"His skin is so thin he couldn’t endure criticism from a joke, and attempted to shut down an entire media organization in the process," Harris said of Trump. The incident has sparked widespread debate, with the FCC issuing a statement on October 18 denying direct involvement but noting an ongoing review of "broadcast indecency complaints." Kimmel's team has filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging First Amendment violations, with a hearing scheduled for November.
Harris further accused Trump of fostering an environment where critics are targeted. She highlighted reports from the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has initiated investigations into several media figures and former officials critical of the administration. According to a DOJ spokesperson, these probes focus on "potential leaks and national security matters," but critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue they represent selective prosecution.
Expanding her critique, Harris charged that "many who have capitulated since day one" are enabling authoritarian tendencies. She specifically called out business leaders for "bending the knee at the foot of a tyrant" in exchange for political or financial gains. While not naming individuals, her comments align with recent events involving tech and finance executives. For instance, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has publicly supported Trump since the 2024 election, securing government contracts worth billions for his companies. Similarly, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon attended a White House economic summit last month, praising Trump's tax policies despite prior criticisms.
Trump's administration has defended its actions as necessary for restoring order. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Friday, "The president is focused on making America great again, not settling personal scores. Any suggestions otherwise are fake news from the radical left."
Harris's interview has reignited speculation about the 2028 Democratic field. Political analysts note a crowded potential roster, including Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. A CNN analysis from October 15 projected that early fundraising and name recognition will be crucial, with Harris's vice-presidential tenure and campaign infrastructure giving her an edge despite polling deficits.
The BBC interview was conducted in London, where Harris has been promoting 107 Days at events including a sold-out appearance at the Southbank Centre. In the book, she details the chaos of her late-entry campaign, internal Democratic Party divisions, and reflections on gender dynamics in politics. Excerpts describe a pivotal moment in August 2024 when she addressed a rally in Philadelphia, emphasizing unity after Biden's endorsement.
Harris also touched on global issues, expressing confidence in women's leadership worldwide. "The arc of history bends toward progress," she said, echoing themes from her 2020 vice-presidential acceptance speech.
Reactions to the interview were swift. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison praised Harris on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Kamala's fire is exactly what we need. #DemFuture." Conversely, Republican National Committee spokesperson Elizabeth Pipko countered, "Harris's blame game ignores her failed policies that Americans rejected."
As the 2026 midterms approach, Harris has ramped up appearances at fundraisers and party events. She headlined a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee dinner in Los Angeles last week, raising $2.1 million, per Federal Election Commission filings.
This BBC appearance underscores Harris's transition from elected office to influential commentator and author. With 107 Days debuting at No. 1 on The New York Times nonfiction bestseller list, her platform remains robust. Whether "possibly" evolves into a formal 2028 announcement remains to be seen, but her words signal an enduring presence in American politics.
The full interview airs on BBC One at 9 a.m. GMT on Sunday, October 26, 2025, and will be available on BBC iPlayer thereafter.
