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Trump pushes back on Harris’ book claim he privately praised her as a 'tough, smart customer'
By Taylor Penley
Published September 21, 2025
President Donald Trump rejected former Vice President Kamala Harris’ claim in her new book that he privately praised her during a concession phone call, saying he was cordial but never described her as a "tough, smart customer."
"[I didn't call her that] that I know of, but I was nice to her," Trump told Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy, co-host of the new program, "The Sunday Briefing."
Trump sat down with Doocy for an exclusive interview for the show's debut episode, where he addressed the excerpt explored in a New York Times review of Harris' new book, which chronicles her 2024 campaign run.
Kamala Harris (left) said that President Donald Trump (right) called her a "tough, smart customer" in her new book release, according to a New York Times review. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images (left); Leon Neal/Getty Images (right))
According to the Times, Harris said she urged Trump to help bring the country together but knew in the moment it was "a lost cause."
The review also cited Trump's alleged words: "I am going to be so nice and respectful. You are a tough, smart customer, and I say that with great respect. And you also have a beautiful name. I got use of that name, it’s Kamala."
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President Donald Trump joined Fox News' Peter Doocy for an interview to kick off the new show "The Sunday Briefing." (Fox News)
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Though Trump said he didn’t recall offering Harris that praise, he told Doocy he had "met her a couple of times" and "was always nice to her."
"I thought Kamala would have done a better job than she did in terms of running, because we really won by a lot. And I thought she would have done better," he added.
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The interview also featured a lighter moment, with Trump helping Doocy record his first TikTok. Trump joked that he was "working very hard" to save the app — and Doocy’s new show.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-pushes-back-harris-book-claim-he-privately-praised-her-tough-smart-customer