An allegation made on social media that Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, wore high-tech earphones concealed as pearl earrings during her debate with former President Donald Trump is a conspiracy theory that has been circulating. The rumor states that the hidden device enabled Harris to be guided throughout the event, thereby making one question if it was a fair debate.
The Alleged Earphones
The theory indicates that Harris was wearing a pair of Bluetooth-enabled clip-on earrings designed by a German startup called NOVA Products, which has developed Nova H1 Audio Earrings. A look into the Kickstarter page of the company reveals that these are meant for private audio transmission directly into one’s ear. The projected sound comes from within the pearls themselves, thus making it almost impossible to notice there was anything weird going on. Every earring also features high-quality microphones that allow for clearer phone calls while canceling out any background noises, which may include wind noises.
This advanced type of wearable technology was first launched at CES in Las Vegas in January 2023 and made headlines with its ability to deliver directional sounds such that only you can hear what you’re listening to, enhancing personal privacy greatly. These earrings are said to be very similar to other pieces of pearl jewelry, hence creating some suspicions over whether or not they were indeed genuine pearls worn by Harris during their debate.
The Debate in Question
In the first presidential debate held between Vice President Harris and Donald Trump at the National Constitution Center located in Philadelphia on September 10, a lot of controversy arose. The ABC News-hosted event was very malevolent; hence online discussions began on Harris’ selection of accessories.
But some people on Twitter mentioned that Harris looked like she was putting on Tiffany & Co. double pearl-hinged earrings. Conversely and intriguingly enough, this never stopped the adherents of this conspiracy from claiming that these were indeed Nova H1 Audio Earrings for wiretapping campaign advisors during debates secretly.
No Comment from Harris’ Campaign
The Harris-Walz campaign has not yet issued an official response to these claims, although Newsweek has contacted them. Nevertheless, conservative websites and social media have continued to spread rumors even in the absence of any proof.
History of Debate Conspiracies
Such claims have been presented in past presidential campaigns. Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign also saw similar rumors with pictures that allegedly showed her wearing a concealed earpiece during the Commander-in-Chief Forum on September 7, 2016. The story was taken up by conservative media but was discredited by fact-checking organizations such as PolitiFact and Snopes because there was no trustworthy proof of an earpiece.
In the same way, there were allegations made during the 2020 presidential election that then-Democratic candidate Joe Biden had used a hidden earpiece in his debate with Trump. Some conservative commentators suggested that he could be receiving his answers through such a device. However, this accusation was quickly denied by Biden’s campaign and confirmed by the Commission on Presidential Debates that no candidate could wear such devices during the event.
Questions About Nova H1 Audio Earrings
Despite being at the heart of this conspiracy theory, there are still many queries about the product’s availability. An online search shows that the earrings can’t be bought at the moment; alongside that, the NOVA Products website gets diverted to another firm called Icebach Sound Solutions. And backers who supported it on Kickstarter have shared their difficulties in getting the earrings; some have even left messages asking if they have been delivered or not. The company’s last movement on this platform was seen in May 2023, raising eyebrows regarding its current situation.
The truth behind the claims?
Even though Harris’ pearl earrings were surrounded by rumors during the mistake, there isn’t any proof to support this conspiracy theory. Just as prior claims of political debates’ surveillance puppet show devices aren’t going anywhere either. The tale is certainly alive on the internet, and it will continue generating hot air in the form of arguments, but at present, it sounds more like false information than anything serious.
