Vice President Kamala Harris was criticized on Thursday for using a Spanish accent during a Univision town hall event, the latest in a series of instances where she has been accused of using fake accents to connect with voters. Harris began her response to a question by saying, “First of all, thank you for the question, and I hope your family is okay and your home is okay,” with a noticeable Spanish drawl on the words “okay.”
The use of a fake accent has raised concerns about Harris’s sincerity and authenticity, with some critics accusing her of trying to manipulate voters into thinking she is more relatable or connected to their communities. This is not the first time Harris has been accused of using fake accents; she has also been known to use a southern accent when speaking with voters in certain contexts.
In August, Harris used a southern accent when speaking with auto workers in Detroit, Michigan, saying, “And you all helped us win in 2020, and we gon’ do it again in 2024.” In July, she used the same accent during a campaign rally in Georgia, saying, “Yes, we will.” Harris has also used a fake twang accent in the past, including during a speech in 2019, where she said, “Look, there’s a lot at stake in this election, and I’ve said many times that justice is on the ballot in 2020.”
Harris has also been accused of faking a French accent in Paris in 2021, saying, “Scientists operate with a hypothesis. I love that. With us in government, we campaign with ‘The Plan.'” The use of fake accents has sparked criticism and raised questions about Harris’s authenticity and ability to connect with voters in a genuine way.
