Biden Administration Tells Kamala Harris’ Niece to Stop Using VP to Promote Her Business

Connor Grant | February 15, 2021
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The Los Angeles Times reported last Thursday that Vice President Kamala Harris’s niece, Meena Harris, has been told by the Biden Administration to stop using her aunt to promote her business ventures. 

A current White House official expressed their concern regarding Meena’s behavior, citing the fact that she would not have a platform to promote her business ventures if it weren’t for her aunt's vice presidency. Apparently, the promotional activities have long been a concern of Kamala Harris’ aides and advisors. 

“We've been attacking the Trumps for years on all of the gross grifting," an anonymous former adviser to the now-vice president told the LA Times. "We ought to be much cleaner."

After criticizing former President Donald Trump’s family for using his presidency to benefit their personal brands throughout the Biden-Harris campaign, the Biden administration has decided to prevent Meena from using her aunt to do the same.

According to a White House official, after Biden and Harris won the election, the transition team’s ethics lawyers told the vice president’s niece that she could no longer produce clothing or write new books using her aunt’s name or likeness as promotion. The official also stated that Meena is no longer allowed to sell her children's book and Kamala Harris themed swimsuits among other products under the administration's rules. 

“The Vice President and her family will uphold the highest ethical standards and it’s the White House’s policy that the Vice President's name should not be used in connection with any commercial activities that could reasonably be understood to imply an endorsement or support,” Sabrina Singh, a spokesperson for the vice president, said in a late January statement. 

During Biden’s campaign, Meena appeared to profit off of t-shirts that were sold to encourage voting, raising concerns over the line between private interest and campaign activity. 

Meena previously appeared on NBC's “Today” just five days before President Biden’s inauguration for an interview with Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former President George W. Bush. Pictures of the vice president and her niece were shown throughout the interview as Meena promoted her children’s book that was later released on inauguration day. The Harvard educated lawyer also promoted her 'socially conscious’ clothing brand by wearing one of the ‘Phenomenal’ clothing brand’s popular sweatshirts with the word ‘ambition’ across the front of it.  

Meena previously told the New York Times, “I’m my own person with my own views and my own platform and my own aspirations.” She reportedly declined to answer written questions or agree to an interview for this story, according to the LA Times.

Vice President Harris’ stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, recently signed a contract with IMG Models after drawing media attention following her appearance in President Biden’s inauguration. 

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