Fact check: Did Kamala Harris adopt a Nazi phrase as her campaign slogan?
WASHINGTON, DC: A recent social media post by actor Robert Davi has sparked significant controversy and debate.
In the video, Davi suggests that a Nazi phrase, "Strength Through Joy," is being used by Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party as part of their campaign messaging.
The post, which was shared on Instagram on August 16, quickly gained traction, receiving over 17,000 likes in just two weeks.
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Understanding the Nazi phrase 'Strength Through Joy'
To understand the claim, it's essential to delve into the history of the phrase "Strength Through Joy" ("Kraft durch Freude" in German). This motto was indeed associated with Nazi Germany, specifically linked to a state-operated leisure organization established in 1933.
The program aimed to promote the Nazi ideology by offering affordable leisure activities, vacations, and cultural events to German workers, fostering loyalty to the regime.
According to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, the program even played a role in the development of the Volkswagen Beetle, intended to provide an affordable car for the average German worker.
However, "Strength Through Joy" was not the primary slogan of the Nazi regime.
The Nazis were more famously associated with the phrase "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer," which translates to "One People, One Country, One Leader."
This slogan was emblazoned across Nazi propaganda and represented the unification of the German people under Adolf Hitler’s leadership.
Given this background, the assertion that Harris or the Democratic Party has adopted such a historically charged phrase is a serious accusation. A closer examination of the evidence reveals that this claim is not grounded in fact.
No credible evidence to suggest 'Strength Through Joy' has been adopted by Kamala Harris or the Democrats
Robert Davi’s video encourages viewers to "think about" and "read about" the phrase "Strength Through Joy," directing them to a Wikipedia entry for further information.
However, while it’s true that "Strength Through Joy" has been a theme in Nazi Germany, there is no credible evidence to suggest that it has been adopted by Harris or the Democratic Party.
USA Today conducted an extensive search across various platforms, including the vice president's social media accounts and credible media coverage.
The search yielded no results that indicate "Strength Through Joy" has been used as a slogan by Harris or any Democratic faction. Additionally, this phrase is absent from the Democratic Party’s official platform, which outlines the party’s core principles and messaging.
(Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
Reputable fact-checking organizations such as Reuters, PolitiFact, Snopes, and Lead Stories conducted their own investigations and found no evidence to support the claim.
These organizations, known for their rigorous fact-checking processes, have consistently confirmed that the claim is baseless.
Harris and other Democrats, including her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have emphasized the concept of joy in their speeches, but this has been in a general and positive context, not linked to any Nazi connotations.
