Throughout the Sept. 10 presidential debate, viewers zoomed in on extra than simply the candidates’ phrases and physique language. Some noticed grounds for a conspiracy principle in Vice President Kamala Harris’ jewellery selection.
They claimed her pearl earrings helped her debate efficiency towards former President Donald Trump.
“BUSTED! SHE’S WEARING EARPHONE EARRINGS,” a Sept. 10 Instagram put up mentioned. “NOVA H1 Audio Earrings – the primary and solely wi-fi earphones embedded in a pair of pearl earrings on a gold- or silver-plated clip.”
This put up was flagged as a part of Meta’s efforts to fight false information and misinformation on its Information Feed. (Learn extra about our partnership with Meta, which owns Fb and Instagram.)
Conservative activist Laura Loomer additionally amplified the declare on X, saying, “Attention-grabbing selection of earrings tonight, @KamalaHarris.”
However the declare that she was covertly sporting headphones is unsuitable. The NOVA H1 earrings and the earrings Harris wore through the debate could look comparable due to a pearl in each designs, however upon nearer inspection, they’ve vital variations.
The Nova H1 Audio Earrings have been launched by the corporate because the first wi-fi earring headphones. Not like conventional earphones, the audio earrings are clipped on the earlobe, not positioned within the ear, and use “directional sound know-how” to hold audio to the ear, the corporate mentioned.
The product’s web site reveals two variations, one in silver and one in gold. Each variations have a pearl and one thick stem that clasps across the earlobe.
Malte Iversen, CEO of Icebach Sound Options, which produced the NOVA H1 earrings, advised PolitiFact in a cheeky e-mail that “we have no idea” whether or not Harris wore one in all his firm’s merchandise. The Icebach Sound Options’ homepage says {that a} “particular version for presidential debates” will quickly be out there; Iversen advised PolitiFact the product is presently out of inventory.
The web site additionally mentioned that given the eye it acquired put up debate, it might grant an interview to The Tonight Present host Jimmy Fallon to “make clear the rumours and myths surrounding our great merchandise.”
There isn’t any proof Harris was sporting these earrings. Harris was sporting earrings with two thinner traces — type of like a security pin folded in half, with the pearl as the top.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks throughout a presidential debate with Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump on the Nationwide Structure Heart in Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP)