Former Vice President Kamala Harris revealed in her new book that Donald Trump, who frequently criticised her in public, struck a surprisingly warm tone during a private phone call after an attempt on his life.Harris wrote that the conversation took place after a man was arrested and charged with trying to assassinate Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. In the immediate aftermath, she phoned the then-president.“You’ve done a great job, you really have,” Trump told Harris, according to her account. “My only problem is it makes it very hard for me to be angry at you. It’s like, what am I going to do? How do I say bad things about you now?”Harris noted that she did not interpret the remarks as a genuine softening. “He’s a con man. He’s really good at it,” she wrote. “I’d readied myself for a phone conversation with Mr. Hyde, but Dr. Jekyll had picked up the call.”The episode illustrates a pattern of Trump showing two distinct personas depending on the setting. While he frequently attacked Harris and other political opponents in speeches and public appearances, in private he could strike a markedly different tone, according to those who dealt with him directly.The incident detailed in Harris’ book is one of the most personal examples yet of Trump adopting a conciliatory stance behind closed doors. Her account also adds to a growing body of testimony from political leaders, diplomats and officials who have described a sharp contrast between Trump’s public confrontations and his private conversations.During her time as vice president, Harris often faced blistering criticism from Trump. He used rallies and interviews to call her unfit for leadership, and frequently targeted her policies and record. Yet Harris’ recollection shows that even at moments of heightened political hostility, Trump could pivot unexpectedly to praise.Observers of Trump’s presidency and campaign style have long noted this duality. Publicly, he often used aggressive language, portraying rivals as enemies and questioning their legitimacy. Privately, accounts suggest he was more likely to flatter or disarm his interlocutors. Harris’ anecdote fits into this broader pattern described by both allies and adversaries.The phone call came at a time of high political tension. The alleged assassination attempt against Trump shocked the political establishment and led to an outpouring of statements from leaders across the spectrum. Harris’ decision to reach out to him underscored the gravity of the situation, even amid partisan divides.Her book, which recounts her campaign against Trump following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race, frames the call as an example of Trump’s ability to switch personas. Harris warned readers not to be taken in by his private charm, writing that his sudden warmth was a calculated move.The contrast between Trump’s public and private behaviour has been a recurring theme in political accounts of his career. Foreign leaders, domestic rivals and even members of his own party have often remarked on his capacity to alternate between combative rhetoric and cordial exchanges. Harris’ story now adds her own direct experience to that narrative.While Trump has not commented on her description of the phone call, the passage is expected to draw attention as it touches on two of the most scrutinised aspects of his political persona: his response to threats and his treatment of opponents.
