This is so cringe.
During her Labor Day event in Detroit, Vice President Kamala Harris stirred controversy with what many critics have termed a new “accent.”
Harris aimed to rally support from blue-collar union workers in Detroit, a pivotal battleground state for the upcoming election. Her speech focused on the benefits provided by unions, including the five-day workweek, sick leave, paid leave, and vacation time. However, it was her noticeable change in accent that caught the most attention. “You better thank a union member for the five-day work week,” she declared, delivering her lines with a distinct shift in her usual speech pattern. “You should thank the union member for sick leave. You should thank the union member for paid absence. You should thank a union member for vacation time.”
WATCH:
WATCH: Over 3 minutes of Kamala Harris using different phony accents throughout the years.
Despite spending her childhood in Berkley, California and Montreal, Canada, Kamala uses what she thinks is a Detroit accent, what she thinks a southern accent in Georgia, a French accent,… pic.twitter.com/A07WzWMGkr
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) September 2, 2024
The response on social media was swift and critical. The conservative account Johnny MAGA shared a clip mocking what they called Harris’ “Detroit speak,” labeling the Vice President as “cringe and fake.” Stephen Miller, a former senior advisor to President Trump, commented, “This is her seventh new accent in four weeks. She has never used this accent before. She grew up in Canada. This is one of the phoniest moves in politics.”
Gad Saad, a professor and podcast host, also weighed in, expressing frustration with what he saw as a lack of authenticity. GOP strategist Matt Whitlock criticized Harris for what he perceives as a pattern of changing her accents and political personas to fit the moment. “She alters her fake accents just like she shifts her policy positions,” Whitlock said.
The Trump campaign further highlighted Harris’ perceived inauthenticity, sharing another clip where Harris tells a rally attendee, “Let’s just get through the next 64 days, how about that!?” followed by an awkward laugh.
MORE:
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
On social media, comparisons to the Looney Tunes character Foghorn Leghorn were made, and conservative commentator Greg Price pointed out that Harris used different accents during speeches in Detroit and later in Pittsburgh. “Same speech, two entirely different accents,” Price said, questioning Harris’ genuine connection with her audience.
This isn’t the first time Harris has faced criticism for altering her accent. In July, she was scrutinized for using a fake Southern accent at a rally in Atlanta, and during a 2021 trip to France, some claimed she adopted a “French accent” while touring a COVID lab.
Overall, Harris’ shifting accents continue to be a focal point of debate, raising questions about her authenticity and political strategy.