False Citizenship Claims

Vice President Kamala Harris’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination has sparked false claims about her eligibility. Some of these claims are old, while others emerged after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek a second term. One widely spread falsehood asserts that Harris is not an American citizen and therefore cannot serve as president. This claim is unfounded. Harris is a natural-born U.S. citizen, born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly states that anyone born on U.S. soil is a natural-born citizen, eligible to serve as president or vice president. Legal experts affirm there is no legitimate debate about Harris’s eligibility.

Misleading Claims About Her Ethnicity

Another claim asserts that Harris is not Black, which is false. Harris is both Black and Indian. Her father, Donald Harris, is a Black man from Jamaica, and her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was from southern India. Harris has publicly embraced and spoken about her mixed heritage, as detailed in her 2019 autobiography. Despite this, erroneous social media posts continue to circulate false information about her racial identity.

Context of Past Relationships

Harris’s critics have also revisited her past relationship with California politician Willie Brown, suggesting she advanced her career through this connection. This claim is misleading. Brown was separated from his wife during their relationship, which was public. He supported Harris’s political ambitions, as he did with many other politicians. Harris has been married to Doug Emhoff since 2014.

Misrepresentation of Harris’s Personal Life

Social media users misrepresented a clip of Harris with television host Montel Williams and his daughter, alleging she was Williams’s “side piece.” In reality, Harris and Williams briefly dated in the early 2000s. Williams clarified the misrepresentation, emphasizing respect for Harris.

Fabricated Quotes and Videos

A fabricated quote attributed to Harris, claiming she threatened Trump supporters, has resurfaced. This quote originated from a satirical article and was wrongly circulated as genuine. Additionally, a video clip of Harris’s speech at a 2023 rally was altered to make her remarks appear nonsensical. The original footage and official transcripts do not contain the manipulated statement.

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FACT FOCUS: A look at false claims around Kamala Harris and her campaign for the White House

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