A viral video on social media showing the United States' first Indian-origin and woman Vice-President Kamala Harris speaking incoherently and stating "yesterday is today", during a speech at a rally for abortion rights, was confirmed to be fake by multiple media outlets.
Footage from the Indian-American Vice-President’s speech at her alma mater Howard University in Washington DC on April 25, 2023 was dubbed with an edited voiceover.
In the video, Harris can be heard saying, "Today is today. And yesterday was today yesterday. And tomorrow will be today for us, but tomorrow…"
The edited video has garnered millions of views on social media and has been shared by several Indian accounts along with misleading claims.
The footage has been described as a shallowfake, where video editing software is used to change the source material, unlike a deepfake, which utilises Artificial Intelligence to manipulate media.
Other doctored effects include changing the podium banner Harris is standing behind to 'Ramble Rants Reproductive Freedom' from the original ‘Fighting for Reproductive Freedom’.
The actual clip is from Harris’ address at a pro-choice rally hosted by Howard University, which came in for criticism as well from conservative politicians and pundits.
Fox News said that she had a bout of word salad during her speech and the Republican National Committee tweeted a clip from the address, in which Harris can be heard saying: "So I think it's very important, as you have heard from so many incredible leaders for us at every moment in time and certainly this one, to see the moment in time in which we exist and are present, and to be able to contextualise it, to understand where we exist in the history and in the moment as it relates not only to the past but the future."
This was Harris’ first speaking engagement since she and President Biden announced their 2024 re-election bid.
The VP was urging liberals to "stand and fight" against what she deemed a "national agenda" by the GOP to limit abortion rights, voting rights and LGBTQ rights, NPR reported.
The full text of her speech is on the White House's website.
