The Enduring Viral Legacy: 5 Ways Kamala Harris's "We Did It, Joe" Moment Defined A Political Era
The four words became an instant cultural phenomenon. Vice President Kamala Harris’s jubilant, unscripted phone call to Joe Biden in November 2020—a moment captured on video where she declared, "We did it, Joe!"—has transcended a simple political victory celebration to become one of the most recognizable and enduring viral moments in modern American history. As of December 2025, this clip remains a powerful cultural touchstone, constantly referenced, remixed, and re-analyzed in the context of her subsequent presidential campaign and her ongoing political journey.
The clip’s raw enthusiasm and immediate meme-ability secured its place in the political lexicon, symbolizing a historic barrier broken and a pivotal shift in the nation's leadership. Its legacy is complex, representing everything from genuine joy and political triumph to a source of parody and intense scrutiny during her run as the Democratic nominee in the 2024 general election.
Kamala Harris: A Biographical Profile and Historic Career
Kamala Devi Harris has spent her career breaking glass ceilings, culminating in her historic role as the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American Vice President of the United States. Her journey is defined by a series of high-profile legal and political roles.
- Date of Birth: October 20, 1964
- Place of Birth: Oakland, California
- Education: Howard University (B.A.), University of California, Hastings College of the Law (J.D.)
- Key Career Milestones:
- 1990–1998: Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County, California.
- 2004–2011: District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to hold the office.
- 2011–2017: Attorney General of California, again the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American in the role.
- 2017–2021: U.S. Senator representing California.
- 2021–2025: 49th Vice President of the United States.
- 2024: Became the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
- Family: Married to Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, a lawyer.
Her background as a prosecutor and her rapid ascent through state and national politics provided the foundation for her partnership with President Joe Biden, culminating in the 2020 election victory that produced the now-legendary phrase.
The Genesis of a Political Meme: "We Did It, Joe!"
The viral clip originated on November 7, 2020, moments after news networks projected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the winners of the U.S. presidential election. The video, which Harris shared on her social media, was a raw, emotional glimpse into the private celebration of a historic political achievement.
The Context of the Call
The election had been a prolonged and contentious process, with days of vote counting following Election Day. The tension surrounding the results made the final announcement a moment of intense relief and joy for the Democratic ticket.
Harris was out for a walk when she received the news. She immediately called President-elect Biden, who was at his home in Delaware. The video captures her leaning against a fence, wearing athletic gear, and speaking into her phone.
Her exact words were: "We did it, Joe. You’re going to be the next President of the United States." The simplicity and overwhelming excitement of the statement resonated instantly with millions of viewers.
From Celebration to Cultural Phenomenon
The clip went viral almost immediately, shared across Twitter, Instagram, and especially TikTok, where it was remixed into countless variations.
The phrase became a shorthand for any triumphant moment, large or small, from passing a final exam to achieving a personal goal. This widespread adoption demonstrated the clip's ability to transcend its political origins and become a universal expression of success.
Harris herself has embraced the moment, recalling the story behind the clip in interviews, including one with Jennifer Hudson in 2023 and another with Keke Palmer at the Essence Festival of Culture.
5 Ways the Viral Moment Shaped the 2024 Political Narrative
Despite being a 2020 artifact, "We Did It, Joe!" played a significant, if complicated, role in Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign for the presidency. It became a focal point in the broader conversation about her public persona, social media strategy, and political viability.
1. Establishing a Relatable, Human Persona
The clip offered a rare, unscripted glimpse into the candidate’s human side, a crucial element for a politician often criticized for being overly formal or reserved. The raw emotion of the phone call helped to soften her image and make her more relatable to a younger, social-media-savvy audience.
2. The Centerpiece of Meme-ification Strategy
The Harris campaign, particularly after she became the presumptive Democratic nominee, was noted for its advanced understanding and use of social media platforms like TikTok. "We Did It, Joe!" served as the foundational text for her "meme-fied" campaign strategy.
This approach, leveraging viral moments and internet culture, was an attempt to connect with younger voters and stand in sharp contrast to her opponent, Donald Trump, whose viral moments often involved traditional media stunts.
3. Fueling Parody and Opposition Messaging
While supporters celebrated the clip, political opponents quickly weaponized it. The phrase was often used sarcastically to criticize the Biden-Harris administration’s policies or to mock the Vice President’s perceived lack of accomplishment. This duality—the meme as both a symbol of triumph and a tool for ridicule—highlighted the polarized nature of modern political communication.
4. Connecting with Other Viral Moments
The "We Did It, Joe!" moment is often linked to other viral phenomena that defined the perception of Harris, such as the "coconut tree" meme and the "Kamala is brat" phenomenon.
These memes, whether positive or negative, collectively created a digital persona for Harris that was constantly debated and analyzed. The 2020 clip was the original moment that solidified her reputation as a politician whose career would be deeply intertwined with internet culture.
5. A Symbol of Historic Firsts and Future Ambition
Ultimately, the phrase remains a powerful symbol of the historic nature of the Biden-Harris ticket. It captured the moment when a woman of color first reached the second-highest office in the United States.
Even in the aftermath of the 2024 election, the clip is a reminder of her high-water mark of political achievement and the ambitious journey she undertook. It encapsulates the feeling of overcoming significant political and social barriers, making it an enduring part of her political legacy, regardless of future electoral outcomes.
The Enduring Topical Authority of a Single Phrase
In the world of political communication, a single, unscripted moment can carry more weight and achieve greater reach than a hundred carefully crafted speeches. "We Did It, Joe!" is a prime example of this phenomenon, granting Kamala Harris a unique form of topical authority in the digital sphere.
The clip’s legacy is not just about the 2020 victory; it is about the changing nature of politics, where authenticity—or the appearance of it—can instantly humanize a candidate. The moment is now a permanent fixture in the history of presidential elections, studied by political scientists and communications experts alike.
As the political landscape continues to evolve in 2025 and beyond, the four simple words—"We did it, Joe!"—will forever be associated with Kamala Harris, serving as a powerful reminder of the emotional stakes and historic triumphs of American democracy.
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