Conservative Teleprompter Conspiracy Theories about Kamala Harris Persist Despite Being Debunked Again

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, conservative conspiracy theorists persistently cling to the unfounded assertion that Kamala Harris utilizes a teleprompter or in-ear devices while delivering speeches.

Following Kamala Harris’s declaration to run for the presidency after Joe Biden withdrew, conservative factions have sought any platform to undermine her credibility. This has included launching racist and sexist attacks, labeling her a “childless cat lady,” and casting doubt on her racial identity. What particularly frustrates her critics is her extensive qualifications and success; she has decades of legal experience, served as Attorney General of California for six years, and was a U.S. Senator for four years prior to becoming Biden’s running mate in 2020.

Unable to present legitimate arguments against her qualifications, conservatives have fixated on the unfounded claim about her reliance on teleprompters. They assert that Harris can’t speak without one and that this undermines her fitness for presidency. Recently, social media ignited when conservatives believed they had found concrete evidence of her teleprompter usage, but this theory has been debunked just like its predecessors.

New Teleprompter Theory Debunked by Moderator

During a recent visit to Las Vegas for a town hall titled “Noticias Univision Presents: Latinos Ask, Kamala Harris Responds,”the Vice President connected with undecided Latino voters, addressing various topics including healthcare challenges and disinformation following Hurricane Helene. Despite this, conservatives chose to amplify a split-second moment when a distant screen displayed text during her speech.

The instance was fleeting, and the text could have pertained to anything. Nonetheless, conservatives wasted no time sharing the clip on social media as so-called irrefutable evidence that Harris employs a teleprompter. Prominent right-wing commentators, including Charlie Kirk and Benny Johnson, circulated the video and labeled it “breaking news,” while mocking her with acronyms like “lmfao.” They even elaborated, suggesting that producers panicked and switched off the prompter when the camera spotted it. It’s remarkable that these commentators attempt to ridicule Harris for allegedly needing a teleprompter.

Kirk once famously confused a dolphin fetus with a human infant on air, while Johnson was “tricked” into disseminating Russian disinformation for hefty sums. It’s comical that individuals who struggle in their roles as self-proclaimed “podcast hosts” would hastily critique someone for utilizing a teleprompter.

BUSTED!! Kamala was just caught using a teleprompter at her Univision town hall! Producers panic and turn off the prompter midway through her answer. Why did Univision allow this?! This is egregious journalistic malpractice. pic.twitter.com/tH5Bh2clBx

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 11, 2024

Never forget Benny Johnson ADMITTED to being paid by Russia $100,000 a week to post lies. The teleprompter was for the commentator, so he knew when to go to break & his talking points. If you’re tired of lies like these, vote Harris to stop the hatred! BushDidObamaPittsburgh pic.twitter.com/Ro1YGt1NLn

— BLACKS AGAINST TRUMP (@Mompreneur_of_3) October 11, 2024

Kamala is using a teleprompter during her “town hall”with Univision lmfao pic.twitter.com/uXkqIplknG

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 11, 2024

The term “teleprompter” began trending across social media platforms, with users expressing both outrage and humor regarding the alleged use by Harris. Outlandish claims emerged, including accusations of “fraud” and “journalistic malpractice.” However, the moderator of the event, Enrique Acevedo, promptly dismissed the narrative, clarifying that the teleprompter was for his introduction in Spanish and then converted to a timer. He affirmed, “Any claim to the contrary is simply untrue.”

The prompter displayed my introduction (in Spanish) and then it switched to a timer. Any claim to the contrary is simply untrue. https://t.co/eYWZFoCyZf

— Enrique Acevedo (@Enrique_Acevedo) October 11, 2024

The President of Univision News, Daniel Coronell, reinforced Acevedo’s statement, explaining he could affirm based on “firsthand knowledge” that the teleprompter was exclusively for the moderator, as he was in charge of the event.

That’s not true. The teleprompter that displays a text written in Spanish was a support element for the town hall moderator. I can tell you this with first-hand knowledge because I was in charge of the television program. https://t.co/Co5MIgZkry

— Daniel Coronell (@DCoronell) October 11, 2024

Despite the clarification, conservatives remain adamant in their belief, labeling Acevedo and Coronell as “liars” and demanding their terminations for supposedly conspiring in the alleged teleprompter cover-up, even though they have no logical motivation to fabricate such claims. This isn’t the first instance of conservatives fanning the flames of teleprompter paranoia; previously, they falsely asserted that Harris relied on a teleprompter during her Oprah Winfrey interview, misconstruing a device behind her that mirrored Winfrey’s dialogue as proof of their conspiracy.

Yet the theories continue to spiral into absurdity. When viewers failed to notice teleprompters in the presidential debate, they absurdly surmised that Harris was receiving answers through her earrings. Claims regarding in-ear devices were similarly and quickly discredited. While conservatives fixate on every screen or earring they encounter, they conveniently overlook instances of Trump utilizing a teleprompter. He even recently made a false claim about avoiding a teleprompter while standing directly in front of one.

However, scrutiny surrounding Trump’s teleprompter usage seldom gains traction. This phenomenon stems from the idea that teleprompters are a prevalent tool for politicians. From Reagan to Obama, many Presidents have made use of them during addresses. Teleprompters serve as aids for presentations rather than creators of speeches; skillful usage can enhance delivery while maintaining a genuine feel. Ideally, audiences should focus on the substance of a speech, rather than its delivery method. Unfortunately, the irrational obsession some conservatives maintain with teleprompters indicates an ongoing skepticism towards the notion that a woman can project authority and competence, irrespective of teleprompter use.

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