Jill Biden’s ex-spokesman says White House culture was a 'cult' of 'mean girls'

WASHINGTON — Jill Biden’s ex-spokesman Michael LaRosa on Monday described a White House "cult" where "mean girls" reportedly ruled behind the scenes, and said the Biden Bubble was "full of bullies." The remarks appeared in a Fox News op-ed tied to excerpts from Kamala Harris’ forthcoming memoir, 107 Days, due to be released Tuesday, in which Harris contends she faced friction with Biden’s staff.

LaRosa said staffers weren't serving a president and first lady — they were serving a "cult," and that Regina George-like figures could rise to power without consistent accountability. He credited Harris for calling out bullying culture, noting the president had pledged in 2021 to fire any staffer who disrespected a colleague, but argued the pledge did not always translate into action. LaRosa, who worked on the 2020 Biden campaign and later served as Jill Biden's spokesman from early 2021 through July 2022, noted that Anthony Bernal led as first lady's chief of staff in the latter period; Bernal faced accusations of bullying from staffers, as The Post previously reported.

Harris’s memoir excerpt, described in a preview by The Atlantic and reported by Semafor, recounts friction with Biden staff and the perception that staff fueled a disruptive narrative about her. Harris writes that the White House staff framed her office as chaotic and high-turnover, a zero-sum dynamic in which "if she’s shining, he’s dimmed." She argues that her visible success was seen as vital to showing voters that the country was in capable hands.

After the excerpt circulated, Biden aides privately trashed Harris to outlets, though Harris had previously refrained from criticizing Biden until publishing her book. Harris also described a phone call from Biden shortly before a September debate with former President Trump to address rumors that she was badmouthing him, a moment cited by Semafor.

LaRosa says Harris’s book signals a shift toward candor about what she experienced. "I hope she continues to speak with unfiltered candor about her experience," he said. "Take it from this Democrat. She’ll sleep better at night." The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the allegations. This is a developing story about internal culture within the Biden administration and the relationship between Harris and Biden's teams.