"He had a cane in his right hand and the Bible in his left hand" — Netizens attempt to justify Deb Fischer's husband refusing to shake Kamala's hand

A video of Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer's husband Bruce supposedly refusing to shake Kamala Harris' hand went viral online. On Friday, January 3, Vice President Harris swore Deb in for her third term in the US Senate.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Harris congratulated Republican Deb and shook her hand. When she extended her hand to congratulate Deb's husband, Bruce, he thanked her but refused to shake hands.

The clip sparked backlash on social media, with netizens criticizing Bruce Fischer's gesture as rude and petty while expressing disapproval of MAGA supporters and Republicans. X user @JoJoFromJerz called Bruce, "creepy-a**, cadaver looking husband" of Deb Fischer, adding:

"What a f***ing loser. Grow the fuck up you freak."

However, some netizens defended Bruce as they tried to justify why he couldn't shake Harris' hand.

"So he had a cane in his right hand and the Bible in his left hand. So there’s that", wrote one X user.

"Which hand do you want him to shake with? The in one holding the book or the one holding his cane?", resonated another.

"Isn't he holding a cane in the she tried to shake?", reasoned another.

A few supposed Republicans lauded Deb Fischer's husband for not shaking Harris' hands, reasoning she called Trump a fascist.

"From what I can tell, the man has class. Why would you shake the hand of someone who called Trump 'Hitler'?", said one person.

Despite the explanation that Bruce was unable to return Kamala Harris' gesture as both his hands were occupied, several others had another opinion.

"How about the one he put in his pocket? I guess you missed the part where he handed his wife the Bible back", commented one X user.

"Watch the video. It is very obvious he meant to snub her", claimed one person.

"He very obviously chose to look away from her gaze. I thought so from the still images but the video of his actions tells a different story", said another.

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Kamala Harris tells Deb Fischer's husband, "It's okay, I won't bite"

In the video, Deb Fischer's husband Bruce was seen walking up to the podium with a cane in one hand. As Bruce stopped next to Deb, she handed him the Bible and asked him to stand closer to Kamala Harris. The Vice President could be heard jokingly telling a visibly hesitant Bruce:

"It's okay, I won't bite. I'm not gonna bite. Don't worry."

As everyone took their position, Deb Fischer kept her hand on the Bible that Bruce held and held another hand up. Kamala Harris officiated the swearing-in ceremony:

"Do you solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States?"

The footage then cut to the end of the ceremony where Harris congratulated Deb and thanked her for her service. Bruce could be seen giving the Bible back to Deb and putting his free hand in his pocket seconds after Kamala Harris extended her hand for a handshake. Deb Fischer's husband's gesture led Harris to awkwardly smile and raise her eyebrows while she said, "Okay, sure!"

The video ended with the group then posing for some pictures for the media.