The discussion followed the union’s decision not to endorse a presidential candidate for the first time since 1996.
In September, the Teamsters, one of the largest U.S. labor unions, announced they would refrain from endorsing any candidate. On “The Tucker Carlson Show,” O’Brien described an encounter where Harris met one of the union’s executive board members, Joan Corey. According to O’Brien, Harris told Corey, “Teamsters? You better get on board. Better get on board soon,” a comment O’Brien found offensive.
“To her face?” Carlson asked. “Damn, I thought I was arrogant. That’s really arrogant!”
O’Brien then contacted former U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh to express his frustration, saying, “Who does this lady think she is? If I want support from any organization, I am not gonna point my finger in someone’s face and say, ‘You better get on board or else.’ But that’s the attitude of this whole party.”
O’Brien recounted further tensions during Harris’ participation in a union roundtable discussion. He claimed Harris only wanted to answer three out of 16 questions and ended the session 20 minutes early, stating, “I’m gonna win with you or without you.”
Internal polls conducted by the union in September revealed that a majority of members preferred Donald Trump over Harris, with 59.6% supporting Trump and 31% backing Harris in an electronic poll. A phone poll showed similar results, with 58% supporting Trump, 31% favoring Harris, and others undecided.
O’Brien also criticized Harris and President Biden for avoiding media interactions following their meetings with the union, contrasting their behavior with Trump’s, who held a press conference in the union building.
“The one difference was that Trump, after his meeting, spoke to the media right in the lobby of my building. The same opportunity was offered to Biden and Harris, and they refused,” O’Brien said.
Harris has faced criticism for vague responses during interviews and a lack of substantive engagement with the press, which has contributed to her declining popularity among key Democratic voting blocs, including Hispanic and Black male voters.
