During the swearing-in ceremony for Senators, what seemed like a minor moment quickly turned into a polarizing incident. Bruce Fischer, husband of Nebraska Republican Senator Deb Fischer, refused to shake Vice President Kamala Harris’s hand, igniting a heated debate online.
The incident occurred on Friday, as Harris presided over the ceremony for Senator Fischer’s third term. Following the traditional handshake with the senator, Harris extended her hand toward Fischer’s spouse. Holding a cane in one hand and a Bible in the other, Bruce Fischer avoided the gesture, offering only a tense smile and a brief “thank you.” He then looked away and slipped his newly freed hand into his pocket. Harris, visibly surprised, attempted to defuse the awkwardness.
GOP Senator Deb Fischer’s husband, Bruce, refuses to shake Vice President Kamala Harris’s hand after her swearing-in. Truly classless. pic.twitter.com/a0ZQuDV0t0
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 6, 2025
The moment, captured on camera and quickly shared online, went viral within hours. Many liberal commentators accused Bruce Fischer of deliberate disrespect, with some suggesting racial or gender undertones in his actions. However, Fischer’s defenders particularly among Republican supporters offered alternative explanations. Some claimed he was physically unable to respond due to his occupied hands, while others cited adherence to lingering COVID-19 precautions.
Reactions extended beyond social media, as political analysts and commentators weighed in on the broader implications of the incident. Many saw it as emblematic of the deepening political and cultural divides in America. Harris, as the first female vice president and the first Black and South Asian person to hold the office, is often a lightning rod for criticism from the political right. The awkward moment only served to further fuel these divisions.
While some observers downplayed the incident as a misunderstanding or a simple oversight, MAGA supporters, rushed to defend Bruce Fischer. They insisted there was no intentional offense behind his actions, dismissing the uproar as an overreaction.
