Former Democratic fundraisers expressed frustration and disappointment on Friday regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ interview with Oprah Winfrey, describing it as “out of touch” and “patronizing.”

Evan Barker, a former Democratic fundraiser, and Allison Huynh, a former Obama fundraiser, appeared on “The Ingraham Angle” to discuss concerns within certain factions of the Democratic Party about the administration’s messaging and its connection to working-class Americans. The interview, aimed at enhancing Harris’ image ahead of the election, seemed to miss the mark, with critics arguing that Winfrey inadvertently highlighted the disconnect that Harris and the Biden administration have struggled to overcome.

“I mean, it just felt like Oprah was lecturing working-class people who are struggling. She has no idea what it’s like to not be able to afford groceries,” Barker said. “She has no idea what it’s like to go to the gas station and struggle to fill up her car. She’s not affected by the economy right now. And so it just felt extremely out of touch.”

The interview also drew attention to Harris’ portrayal as a self-made success. Barker remarked, “Did anyone catch how Oprah basically made fun of people who work at McDonald’s? She said that Kamala Harris, who worked at McDonald’s, told everybody else that currently works at McDonald’s that there was hope for them yet.”

Barker criticized the entire programming as “incredibly patronizing” and described it as “a cringe fest,” suggesting it epitomized the Democratic Party’s disconnect with regular people facing economic struggles.

This sentiment echoes concerns Barker voiced in an op-ed earlier in the week, where she criticized the administration for failing to grasp the economic realities of everyday Americans. She noted that the party’s shift toward wealthy elites has alienated many former Democrats, leading them to feel overlooked as the party appears to prioritize its financial backers over its traditional union base.

Despite the criticism, corporate media outlets reported enthusiastically on Harris’ “Unite for America Rally” in Michigan, hosted by Winfrey, highlighting the rally’s “emotional” atmosphere. However, many noted Harris’ meandering responses to questions about the border crisis and the cost of living during the event.