Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman lauds Biden and Harris for ‘exchanging the torch without ego’

Amanda Gorman, the poet who famously performed at President Biden’s inauguration, is backing Vice President Harris and praising them both for “exchanging the torch without ego, malice, or pride.”

“It was the honor of a lifetime to perform poetry at an inauguration that swore both President Biden and Vice President Harris into office,” Gorman wrote on the social platform X on Monday, calling them “both outstanding leaders who have dedicated their lives to public service.”

A then-22-year-old Gorman became the youngest known inaugural poet in American history in 2021 when she recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” after Biden and Harris were sworn in. 

“The miracle that allowed for me, a young, Black girl to be there was the democratic tradition of ushering in a new guard of voices,” Gorman, now 26, told her 1.4 million followers.

Her book, published following the inauguration, became the first poetry title to take the top spot on USA Today’s bestsellers list in the newspaper’s history.

Biden announced just over a week ago that he was dropping out of the 2024 White House race and endorsed Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee in November. 

“When we share power without insecurity and stand together as our best selves, there is nothing we can’t accomplish in this country,” Gorman said, before adding a pro-Harris hashtag.

“Let’s go #Harris2024!” Gorman wrote.