No, this video doesn’t show Kamala Harris using a teleprompter during a live televised forum


Kamala Harris, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., 09-22-24
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to media members Sept. 22, 2024, after she arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (AP)

Vice President Kamala Harris fielded questions Sept. 19 from media powerhouse Oprah Winfrey and the audience at “Unite for America,” a live televised forum that featured the Democratic presidential nominee discussing issues such as abortion, immigration and gun violence. 

The New York Times noted that this was a departure for Harris, who “has not spoken off the cuff or at length about many issues since she catapulted to the top of the ticket.”

But an X post that’s gained traction in the days since claims there was nothing candid about Harris’ responses. 

“WOW!” the Sept. 21 X post said. “Apparently Kamala Harris had a freaking TELEPROMPTER during her ‘interview’ with Oprah. Scamala Harris is a fraud!”

The post included a video clip without sound that showed Winfrey from behind and Harris in profile as words on a teleprompter scrolled in their foreground. 

 

A Winfrey spokesperson told PolitiFact that Harris didn’t use a teleprompter during the forum. 

Winfrey, meanwhile, did. In the silent video clip spreading on social media, the words “the fight for us … for the America we desire and deserve to live in” and “to find out more … ” appear on the teleprompter.

Watching footage of the end of the forum with sound, it’s clear that this script is for Winfrey. 

“Let’s do better, and vote for Kamala Harris,” Winfrey said around the 1:32 mark of this video that streamed live Sept. 19, adding,”We hope you keep fighting for us and the country we deserve to have, thank you so muchTo find out more about how you can register or where you can vote, go to iwillvote.com. 

We rate claims this video shows Harris using a teleprompter False.

 

Truth-o-meter Ruling

False

If your time is short

  • This video shows a teleprompter that Oprah Winfrey used during a Sept. 19 forum in which she questioned Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. A Winfrey spokesperson said Harris didn’t use a teleprompter. 

Statement

Video shows Vice President Kamala Harris using a teleprompter.

Context

an X post

Speaker/Target

Statement Date

September 21, 2024
Our Sources

X post, Sept. 21, 2024

Instagram post, Sept. 22, 2024

The New York Times, Harris Hits Core Campaign Themes in Emotional Forum With Oprah Winfrey, Sept. 20, 2024

YouTube, Unite for America Rally with Vice President Kamala Harris and Oprah Winfrey, Sept. 19, 2024

Email interview with Nicole Nichols, executive vice president and chief communications and strategy officer, Harpo Productions

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