Behind the scenes: These were old friends getting together for the first time since the pandemic began, and celebrating a Democratic president after the Trump years. But the dinner had an urgent purpose.

Harris had been hit with a series of damaging press accounts, with leaks from administration officials questioning her political judgment and describing rampant dysfunction in her office.

The operatives spent the dinner discussing how to fight back against negative perceptions, and how to help Harris boost her national media footing.

What they’re saying: “The point of it was how can this group be supportive from the outside,” said one person familiar with the dinner.