Vice President Kamala Harris stirred up controversy again following her appearance on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ Tuesday night. While discussing the response to Hurricane Helene, Harris adopted a Jamaican accent, sparking ridicule online.
The vice president was addressing former President Donald Trump’s criticism of FEMA’s handling of the hurricane when she suddenly altered her tone, prompting a wave of reactions.
During the exchange, Harris, in a noticeably altered accent asked, “Have you no empathy, man?” Colbert, appearing somewhat taken aback, responded affirmatively, saying, “Yes. Yes.” Harris continued, “You know, for the suffering of other people, have you no sense of purpose?”
The interview quickly went viral, with critics pointing out her apparent attempt at yet another fake accent. Harris, notorious for her lack of clear communication showcased yet another calculated change in tone.
WATCH:
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This isn’t the first time Harris has faced backlash for her speech patterns; she has previously been criticized for adopting accents during public addresses, leading some to accuse her of pandering. In September, Harris appeared to be channeling a soul preacher while speaking about organized labor. “You betta thank a union member for sick leave. You betta thank a union member for paid leave. You betta thank a union member for vacation time,” Harris, the child of wealthy parents of Jamaican and Indian heritage, who grew up in Canada, told the crowd.
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While speaking to supporters in Georgia in August, Harris spoke with a southern accent. “And you all helped us win in 2020, and we gon’ do it again in 2024,” the vice president declared with a southern twang.
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Detroit also seemed to draw out Harris’ new accents, as she spoke with an accent that was not her own during her last visit to Detroit. “Here’s the thing; the courts are gonna handle dat, we gon’ beat em’ in Novemba. We got’ beat em’ in November,” Harris told the crowd.
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Social media users wasted no time calling out Harris for the out-of-place and offensive attempt.
REACTIONS:
She’s collapsing from the pressure?
— God Plays Chess Backwards (@GPCBackwards) October 9, 2024
She’s Losing it from a Mountain of Pressure,
she had no business being in this ring.It’s like taking a double A College pitcher and dropping him in a World Series Game 7.
Things aren’t going to Go Well.— Have Vit D at 100 (@Swartzentrub17) October 10, 2024
Because she isn’t capable of acting like a normal human being, she’s a total fake.
— Sally Graye (@GrayeSally) October 9, 2024