Kamala Harris outgoing chief spokesperson Symone Sanders celebrates her 32nd birthday with friends at a hookah bar and admits she has 'neglected friends because of her 'demanding' job
Kamala Harris' chief spokesperson and senior adviser Symone Sanders looked jubilant and carefree as she celebrated her 32nd birthday at a hookah lounge Thursday, days after it was revealed she would be leaving her job in the vice president's office.
Sanders posted a series of photos of her smiling, drinking and dancing with friends, and even one that noted how 'demanding' her job has been.
'When the friends you've neglected because your job is so demanding still think of you!' she posted in an Instagram story, along with a photo of flowers.
The vice president is facing a slew of reports of 'bullying' and dysfunction in her office, and four staffers have eyed the exits in the matter of a month.
Sanders appeared to celebrate her birthday with friends with dinner and champagne followed by drinks and hookah at Washington DC's Rosebar Lounge.
Sanders is pictured above smiling with a knife to cut her birthday cake and a bottle of champagne
Sanders posted a series of photos of her smiling, drinking and dancing with friends, and even one that noted how 'demanding' her job has been
Sanders appeared to celebrate her birthday with friends with dinner and champagne followed by drinks and hookah at Washington DC's Rosebar Lounge
A friend posted a photo of the affair: 'Out for @symonedsanders!!!'
Sanders posted a series of photos of her smiling, drinking and dancing with friends, and even one that noted how 'demanding' her job has been
Meanwhile, Politico Playbook reported that the vice president's office celebrated Sanders' birthday on Thursday with cupcakes. The outlet said it had been told the cupcakes were from Baked & Wired, a D.C. favorite, and there was a special German chocolate cupcake for Harris.
Last week Harris' office tried to tamp down rumors of low morale with cupcakes. Harris' personal aide, Opal Vadhan, posted a photo of the VP's team all smiling as they celebrated the birthday of Deputy Director of Advance, Juan Ortega.
'A favorite tradition in the @VP's office is celebrating staff birthdays with cupcakes! Happy Birthday, @JuanoBano!' she wrote.
Days later, aide David Gins took to Twitter to proclaim he 'absolutely' loves his job – amid reports that a quartet of aides are jumping ship.
He did so in a post that showed him typing away at a computer behind a large wooden desk – with a smiling picture of Harris and first gentleman Doug Emhoff in the background. It drew instant ridicule online.
'Hi. My name is David Gins. I work for Vice President Harris on behalf of the American people as Deputy Director for Operations and absolutely love my job. Just thought some of you should know,' the official wrote.
He posted an emoji with a broad smile on its face.
Sanders' exit follows news that Ashley Etienne, the office's communications director, is also leaving.
Sanders told the Washington Post that leaving was not due to unhappiness but that she had 'earned a break.'
'I'm getting married next year. I would like to plan my wedding. You know, I have earned a break. So me deciding that I'm leaving has absolutely nothing to do with my unhappiness. I feel honored every single day to work for the vice president who gave me an opportunity to be her spokesperson at the highest levels.'
Officials maintain Sanders and Etienne's departures were long-planned and not evidence of the reported turmoil.
Peter Velz, director of press operations, and Vince Evans, deputy director of the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, have both told others in the vice president's office that they are also leaving, administration officials told the Washington Post.
Even more staffers are considering leaving Vice President Kamala Harris' office after four aides announced their exit in two weeks
Last week Harris was branded a 'bully' who inflicted 'constant-soul destroying criticism' on her office staff in a damaging expose by the Washington Post.
The piece - a result of interviews with 18 people connected to the VP - also alleges that she'd fail to read briefings they'd prepared, only to turn on them if she was subsequently criticized for being unprepared.
'It's clear that you're not working with somebody who is willing to do the prep and the work,' a former colleague told the Washington Post.
'With Kamala you have to put up with a constant amount of soul-destroying criticism and also her own lack of confidence.'
People familiar with the office dynamics told Politico that even more 'key members of Harris' orbit' are 'eyeing the exits' and have expressed interest in leaving less than a year into her vice presidency.
Harris' poll numbers have tanked to the high 20s, with top Democrats said to be appalled at the idea of her running for president in 2024 should Joe Biden decide not to seek a second term.
Sanders is pictured above at a dinner table with friends
Sanders smiles with friends at Rosebar in Washington DC
Sanders is pictured holding a hookah pipe with her fiancee and another friend
Harris tamped down rumors of tension as she addressed Sanders' departure during a gaggle on her trip to North Carolina last week.
'I love Symone,' the vice president said. 'And I mean that sincerely.'
'I can't wait to see what she will do next. I know that it's been three years jumping on and off planes, going around the country …' Harris continued.
Sanders joined President Joe Biden's presidential campaign in 2019.
Harris declined to answer further questions on the wave of departures.
'Well, I told you how I feel about Symone,' Harris said.
Sanders is engaged to Shawn Townsend, who was known as D.C.'s 'Night Mayor' and worked as the city's Director of Nightlife & Culture until recently. As of July 2021, he works as a principal at Dewey Square Group, according to his Linkedin.
Sanders previously served as national press secretary to Bernie Sanders' campaign in 2016 and was a senior advisor to the Biden campaign.
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