Kamala Harris drags on Musk and warns the world to “recall the 1930s” at the Gold Coast Real Estate Conference | Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris criticized Elon Musk, noted “it is important that we remembered from the 1930s” and raised concerns about AI during an audience of 4,500 real estate agents at an industry conference on the Gold Coast.

The former American vice-president, who visited Australia for the first time, was the guest of honor of the Australian real estate conference in 2025 on Sunday.

She was interviewed for an hour on stage by the veteran of the real estate industry John McGrath.

Without naming Musk, she quoted the adviser to the Trump administration as an example of a person holding “this lost idea that the sign of the strength of a leader is who have beaten”.

“There was someone who is very popular these days, at least in the press, who suggested that it is a sign of the weakness of Western civilizations to have empathy,” she said.

“Imagine. No, it's a sign of strength to have a certain level of curiosity, concern and care of the well-being of others.”

Musk, the director general of Tesla, criticized the democratic administration of Harris and his attitude towards immigrants in an interview with the Podcaster Joe Rogan published in March.

“The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy, empathy exploits,” said Musk. “They exploit a bug in Western civilization, which is the response of empathy.”

Presented by McGrath as “one of the most prosperous women in history” with “her best work in front of her”, Harris joked: “I am unemployed at the moment”. She walked on the stage towards a standing ovation and the strains of the Halo de Beyoncé.

Harris talked about his education and his career. She shared anecdotes of her time as a prosecutor general of California, merchant with the director general of JP Morgan Chase, Jamie Dimon.

She did not mention by name Donald Trump, or JD Vance, nor his narrow defeat in the American presidential election in November.

Harris has concluded barely veiled remarks on the foreign and commercial policies of the new American administration.

“I am frankly worried about what's going on in the world,” she said.

“I fear that it is important that we remember history. It is important that we remember the 1930s. It is important that we remember that history has taught us that isolation is not equal to the insulation

“It is important that we understand and remember history, which taught us the interdependence and interconnection between nations.

“The story that taught us the importance of relationships of trust, the importance of friendships, integrity, honesty.”

She tried to transform personal anecdotes – a lot from her 2019 book – During the life for those who attend the conference.

Harris said she had often become the first woman of a job – despite the discouragement.

“I don't hear no. I don't eat for breakfast. I do not hear until perhaps the tenth time. I cannot start telling you the number of times it has been explicitly or implicitly said – it is not your time. You are not ready, they are not ready.

“Do not listen to. And that's what I mean in the applauding of ambition.”

She said the Americans are wary of AI because she threatened jobs and was likely to spread disinformation.

“It is important to celebrate innovation, but, once again, it is perhaps only the prosecutor in me, we must also ask: are there vulnerable people and do we do what we can to make sure they are safe?”

The other speakers of the conference included the British entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett and the real estate agent of Sydney, David Walker.

Arec is held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Center. It runs until Monday. The organizers would not disclose the amount of speakers paid.