A false claim that Vice President Kamala Harris wore clip-on audio headphones disguised as pearl earrings circulated on social media following the presidential debate on Tuesday night. Prominent accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms promoted this narrative.
Conspiracy theorist and far-right activist Laura Loomer was among those who alleged that Harris's earrings were Nova H1 audio earphones, which are designed to resemble pearls. Loomer's post garnered over 1.3 million views by Wednesday morning.
However, this claim is inaccurate. The Nova H1 earphones wrap around the earlobe, while Harris's earrings dangle and are for pierced ears. A comparison with product photos shows the difference clearly. The earrings Harris wore are likely Tiffany & Co. South Sea Pearl Earrings from the Hardwear collection, a pair she has previously worn at events, including an August rally in Pennsylvania and the White House Juneteenth concert.
Additionally, earpieces are prohibited in presidential debates. During the ABC debate, candidates were not allowed to bring notes or props on stage. CBS News contacted the Harris campaign regarding the claims.
Searches for "Nova H1" and "Nova earrings" spiked on Wednesday morning, according to Google data. The Nova H1 earphones, featured in a Kickstarter campaign, are billed as the first clip-on earphones, using real pearls with built-in microphones and speakers to project sound into the ear.
This isn’t the first time such claims have surfaced. Similar allegations were made against President Joe Biden during his debate with Donald Trump in 2020, and Hillary Clinton in 2016, both of which were debunked. Even in 2004, rumors circulated that President George W. Bush was using a hidden earpiece during a debate, though this was later dismissed as a fabric wrinkle.
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