Vice President Kamala Harris faced scrutiny during a Labor Day rally in Detroit, Michigan, where her speech drew attention not for its content, but for what critics described as a newly adopted "accent." In an attempt to gain the support of blue-collar union members in the pivotal swing state before the November election, Harris organized a rally on Monday.
Speaking to the assembly, Harris underlined the value of unions in defending employees' rights. "You better thank a union member for the five-day work week," she stated. "You better thank a union member for sick leave. You better thank a union member for paid leave. You better thank a union member for vacation time." Her dialect changed noticeably, so listeners were aware of the difference in her speaking style.
Social media users were eager to criticize her, with prominent people and conservative pundits casting doubt on the validity of her accent. In a video clip, Harris is shown speaking; the account "Johnny MAGA" called her remarks "cringe and fake." Stephen Miller, a top assistant to President Trump, made a remark on the picture implying that Harris had quickly taken on several accents. He remarked, "This is her seventh new accent in four weeks. She has literally never used this accent before. She grew up in Canada. Phoniest politician in all of politics."
Kamala Harris just brought back the “Detroit speak” So freaking cringe and fake pic.twitter.com/9kXCRXEdy2
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) September 2, 2024
This is her seventh new accent in four weeks. She has literally never used this accent before. She grew up in Canada. Phoniest politician in all of politics. https://t.co/AZ6voEGUOk
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) September 2, 2024
Further criticism came from professor and podcast host Gad Saad, who expressed disdain for what he perceived as inauthenticity, stating, "There are countless traits that I despise in humans, few as much as inauthenticity." GOP strategist Matt Whitlock also weighed in, accusing Harris of using accents as a political tool. "All of politics is a performance to Kamala Harris," Whitlock said. "She changes fake accents like she changes policy positions and political personas. Today she’s talking in a fake southern accent, pretending to be a moderate. Next week she’ll be back to San Francisco liberal."
There are countless traits that I despise in humans, few as much as inauthenticity (as I explain in my happiness book).https://t.co/BsOGzwjVRYhttps://t.co/vMP0sENnyA
— Gad Saad (@GadSaad) September 2, 2024
All of politics is a performance to Kamala Harris. She changes fake accents like she changes policy positions and political personas.Today she’s talking in a fake southern accent, pretending to be a moderate. Next week she’ll be back to San Francisco liberal. https://t.co/gtRCW1hx9P
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) September 2, 2024
The Trump campaign amplified the criticism by highlighting another moment from the rally where Harris addressed a supporter with, "Let's just get through the next 64 days, how about that!?" followed by her signature laugh. The clip was circulated online, with "Libs of TikTok" questioning the authenticity of her speech, asking, "What did I just watch… what’s with this new accent?" and adding, "The fakeness and cringe here is off the charts."
CRINGE: "Let's just get through the next 64 days, how about that!? HA HA HA HA HA!" pic.twitter.com/Nculjcftpc
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 2, 2024
Some people on social media even went so far as to compare Harris' accent to that of the rooster Foghorn Leghorn from Looney Tunes, who is well-known for his exaggerated drawl from the South.
What did I just watch… what’s with this new accent? The fakeness and cringe here is off the charts pic.twitter.com/KX05FWmfnp
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 2, 2024
Harris had already faced accusations of changing her accent. She faced backlash for assuming a Southern accent in July during an Atlanta rally. Similarly, she was accused of mimicking a "French accent" by critics when she visited a COVID lab in France in 2021. As of the time of reporting, the Harris campaign had not responded to requests for comment on the matter.