NY Times 'Report' on Bruce Fischer/Kamala Harris Interaction at Swearing-In Ceremony Is Something Else

On Monday, we brought you the story of the nontroversy surrounding the symbolic swearing-in ceremony involving Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), her husband, Bruce, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Video of their brief interaction from Friday has gone viral on social media and sparked accusations that Mr. Fischer was deliberately being rude to Harris because he allegedly "refused" to shake her hand or look her in the eye. In the eyes of his Very Online Leftist critics, Mr. Fischer was motivated by racism and sexism.

For those who missed it, watch the clip below:

The husband of a Republican senator just refused to shake hands or make eye contact with Vice President Harris.

The level of class you can expect from MAGA. pic.twitter.com/hTarflIqlw
— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) January 6, 2025

As we also documented, eagled-eyed video watchers noticed that Sen. Fischer's husband was using a cane with one hand and holding the Bible with the other and actually did look up at Harris briefly to say "thank you."

Unfortunately, the video is still a hot topic of conversation for all the wrong reasons, with MSNBC's Joy(less) Reid getting in on the action and even woke members of Congress weighing in.

Outside of a few admittedly left-leaning websites writing stories about the topic (and running with the "racism" and "sexism" narratives) very few in the mainstream media have touched this story, with the New York Post being an exception to the rule.

But on Tuesday afternoon, the New York Times ran a report on what happened between Fischer and Harris - with a headline that accused Mr. Fischer of "denying" the twice-failed Democrat candidate for president a handshake with the insinuation clear that he deliberately did it for reasons that had nothing to do with him having to use a cane for support:

Denying a Handshake to Harris, Senator’s Husband Draws Criticism https://t.co/4bKJTB2lkQ
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) January 7, 2025

In fact, it wasn't even mentioned that Fischer was leaning on a cane until 16 paragraphs into the story. Yep - 16 paragraphs. This is long after most people probably stopped reading the story and formed their opinions, ill-informed ones if their sole news source for the story was the Times.

From both a media and reader perspective, I'm really disappointed in how this story has played out not just among the few outlets that have reported it (the Washington Times, for instance, had "declining to shake" in their headline), but also among influencers on the left and right on social media.

I feel like that instead of trying to find the likely explanation for why things happened the way they did, many jumped on a narrative and the facts about this man's very personal situation were irrelevant to that narrative.

As of this writing no one from Sen. Fischer's camp nor Harris' office has responded to media inquiries. Though it would be nice of them to do so in order to clear up any confusion, I can understand why maybe they wouldn't. Sen. Fisher's husband may be shy about having his disability discussed and perhaps Harris feels like it isn't her place to say (or maybe she really felt snubbed - who knows?).

I've read unconfirmed reports that in recent years, Mr. Fischer suffered a stroke, which - if true - might explain the cane as well as why he seemed unsteady on his feet and was constantly looking at the floor as though he was making sure he didn't trip.

Or, it could simply be old age and the typical aches and pains that creep in that have him using a cane.

All I know is that, from my perspective as a longtime caregiver for family members, anyone who has spent any time with someone who uses a cane and/or walker, or who may otherwise be unsure on their feet for whatever reason is well aware that one of the biggest fears for people who need assistance walking is that they are going to lose their balance and possibly fall.

For that reason, many don't like to touch or be touched (pat on the back, hand on the shoulder, etc) when standing, make it a habit of looking down at their feet, and make sure to stay close to family members who know their situation and are ready to act at a moment's notice.

That's what I saw in the viral video (the fuller clip which can be seen below, for additional context), not an elderly man trying to "own the libs" or display "classlessness" and "low character"

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 press needs to do better and so do social media influencers, but I won't hold my breath over it, and you shouldn't, either.