You’ve probably seen the clips or heard the chatter on social media lately. Someone refers to Kamala Harris as "Madam President," and suddenly the comment section turns into a digital battlefield. If you're scratching your head because, well, the 2024 election results are public knowledge, you aren't alone. Why are they calling Kamala Madam President when she isn't currently sitting in the Oval Office?
It’s complicated. Or maybe it’s actually really simple, depending on who you ask and what corner of the internet you’ve wandered into.
Look, facts are facts. As of 2026, Donald Trump is the 47th President of the United States. JD Vance is the Vice President. Kamala Harris officially left the Naval Observatory on January 20, 2025, and moved back to California. But the term "Madam President" hasn't disappeared. In fact, it's arguably being used more now in certain circles than it was during her actual campaign.
The Acting President Technicality
A lot of people forget that Kamala Harris was technically the first woman to hold the powers of the presidency, even if only for a hot minute. Back in November 2021, while Joe Biden was under anesthesia for a routine colonoscopy, he officially transferred power to Harris.
She was "Acting President" for exactly 85 minutes.
It sounds like trivia, but for many of her supporters, that hour and twenty-five minutes was a proof of concept. It was the first time in American history that the Section 3 of the 25th Amendment was used to hand the reins to a woman. To her base, "Madam President" isn't a delusion; it's a nod to a glass ceiling that was, for a very brief window, technically shattered.
The 107 Days Phenomenon
If you haven't been keeping up with the bestseller lists, Harris released a memoir in late 2025 titled 107 Days. It’s a deep dive into her whirlwind 2024 campaign after Biden stepped aside. Since the book launched, she’s been on a massive international tour.
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I was watching a clip from her stop in Jackson, Mississippi, just a few days ago—January 14, 2026, to be exact. The Mayor there, John Horhn, literally bowed to her. He called her a leader who "means everything to America." In rooms like that, filled with people who feel the 2024 election was a narrow miss or a cultural turning point, the title "Madam President" is used as a form of respect.
It’s aspirational.
People use the title to signal what they believe should have been or what they hope will be in 2028. It’s similar to how some people still call failed candidates by the titles of the offices they sought, but with the added weight of her being the first woman to ever get that close to the finish line of a major party ticket.
Confusion with "Madam Vice President"
Honestly, a huge chunk of this is just linguistic habit. For four years, the world got used to saying "Madam Vice President." It was a mouthful. Naturally, people shortened it. Over time, "Madam President" became a shorthand in casual conversation, even if it was technically incorrect.
Language is lazy. You've probably done it yourself—called a former boss "boss" or a retired colonel "colonel." In the case of Harris, the "Madam" part is so uniquely hers in the American political lexicon that the "Vice" part often gets dropped by supporters and critics alike.
Why Are They Calling Kamala Madam President in 2026?
There is a more tactical reason why the phrase is trending right now. With the 2026 midterm elections looming and the 2028 presidential cycle already starting to warm up, the "Madam President" branding is a political tool.
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She hasn't ruled out another run.
While she explicitly told reporters in July 2025 that she wouldn't run for Governor of California in 2026, she’s been very careful to keep the door open for the White House. By using the title now, her supporters are effectively "pre-loading" the idea in the public consciousness. It’s a way of saying she’s still the "President-in-waiting" for the Democratic party.
The Semantic Battle: Madam vs. Madame
There’s also this weirdly specific debate about the spelling. Is it "Madam" or "Madame"?
Technically, the U.S. government uses "Madam." It’s the formal English equivalent of "Mr." when addressing a presiding officer. "Madame" (with the 'e') is French and usually refers to a married woman. During her time in office, the Biden-Harris administration was very clear: it's Madam Vice President.
When people use the "President" version today, they are often intentionally choosing the more "authoritative" sounding English version to bolster her image as a stateswoman.
The Impact of the Security Clearance Row
Things got spicy in March 2025 when President Trump revoked Harris’s security clearance—a courtesy usually extended to former VPs. This move backfired in terms of optics for some. It turned her into a bit of a political martyr for the left.
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The result? Her supporters doubled down.
The more the current administration tries to diminish her previous role, the more her base uses the "Madam President" honorific as an act of defiance. It’s a way of claiming that her status isn't something that can be taken away by a memorandum.
Where This Leaves Us
So, if you hear someone say it today, they aren't necessarily confused about who lives in the White House. They are likely doing one of three things:
- Honoring the "Acting President" stint from 2021.
- Expressing a "what if" sentiment following the 2024 loss.
- Signaling support for a 2028 run where they hope the title becomes official.
Basically, it's a Rorschach test for how you feel about the current state of American politics. To some, it's a sign of respect for a trailblazer. To others, it's a factual error that drives them crazy.
If you want to stay factually grounded while navigating these conversations, the best move is to acknowledge her historical role as the first female Vice President while recognizing her current status as a private citizen and author. Keeping an eye on her 2028 signals will tell you if "Madam President" remains a polite nickname or becomes a formal campaign slogan once again.
Watch the polling data for the 2028 Democratic primary; if Harris maintains her lead among the "recognizable" field, expect the "Madam President" chatter to only get louder as the next election cycle approaches.