Sober, seriously: Altered video slows Kamala Harris’ remarks on abortion to fuel intoxication claims


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)

Social media users are presenting a video clip of Vice President Kamala Harris delivering a Sept. 20 speech at an Atlanta campaign rally as evidence that she was “damn near blackout drunk.” 

“She is hammered,” a Sept. 23 Instagram post said of Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.

It was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.)

This video was altered. 

The clip starts in the middle of Harris’ remarks about Amber Thurman, a woman who died after she couldn’t access abortion care in Georgia

She then pivots to former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio.

“They’ll talk about … ‘I do believe in the exception to save the mother’s life,’” Harris said. “Let’s break that down, shall we? Let’s break that down. Let’s break that down.” 

The video clip in the Instagram post is about 5 seconds longer than the length of Harris’ actual remarks. Original footage of her speech, posted by multiple news outlets, reflects that. 

Time it for yourself, starting around the 10:20 mark of this video

We rate claims this video shows Harris hammered Pants on Fire!

 

Truth-o-meter Ruling

Pants on Fire!

If your time is short

  • This video was altered. 

Statement

Video shows Vice President Kamala Harris “hammered.”

Context

an Instagram post

Speaker/Target

Speaker: Viral image
Targets: Kamala Harris

Statement Date

September 23, 2024
Our Sources

Instagram post, Sept. 23, 2024

The White House, Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Atlanta, GA, Sept. 20, 2024

C-SPAN, Vice President Harris Speaks at Atlanta, Georgia Campaign Event, Sept. 20, 2024

YouTube, Kamala Harris on Abortion Rights: FULL SPEECH, Sept. 20, 2024

ProPublica, Abortion Bans Have Delayed Emergency Medical Care. In Georgia, Experts Say This Mother’s Death Was Preventable, Sept. 16, 2024

 

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