Kamala Harris accused of faking phone call with Alexey Navalny’s widow after prisoner swap, here's why

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President Kamala Harris has faced allegations of staging a phone call with Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

The controversy emerged after Harris shared a photo on social media, saying that she spoke with Navalnaya on Thursday, August 1, amid a historic prisoner swap between the United States and Russia.

Harris claimed the call was made to acknowledge and support those who "worked with Navalny to combat corruption and build a free, democratic Russia."

In her post, Harris stated, "I thanked Yulia for her courage in continuing her husband's works and reaffirmed my commitment to stand with those fighting for freedom in Russia and around the world."

Kamala Harris mocked on social media

Many users on social media accused Kamala Harris of being a "phony," pointing out that she was holding the phone to her ear while it appeared to be on speaker mode.

"Why is it on 'speaker-phone' but being held up to your ear... as though you're speaking on the phone through the normal speaker," one X user wrote, adding a Yoda-like reference, "The gaslighting is 'strong' with this one."

Others suggested the image was a cheap "photo op."

"It's so weird how Kamala puts a phone to her ear while on speaker," another chimed in, while a third added, "If the phone's on speaker, you don't have to put it to your head Kamala."

"Nice photo op, you’re on speaker phone nimrod," another offered. 

"Trying to look presidential But it’s not working," someone else insisted.

Similar incident and subsequent backlash

According to the Daily Mail, this incident marked the second time in less than a week that Kamala Harris faced ridicule for similar behavior. Earlier, the Obamas posted a video endorsing Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination, in which Harris again appeared to hold the phone to her ear while in speaker mode.

In the video, Barack Obama could be heard first greeting Harris, followed by Michelle Obama, who said, "I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you. This is going to be historic."

Barack Obama then endorsed Harris, saying, "We called to say Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office." He praised Harris as a "happy warrior," to which Harris responded affirmatively. “We’re going to have some fun with this," she added.

The video endorsement was also met with criticism on social media.

"The Obamas endorse Kamala in the most cringeworthy way," one X user wrote. "None of them can act, and Kamala goes from taking the phone call on speaker to holding it to her ear. We somehow can still hear the Obamas clearly. These people are dumb."

Another user described the video as a "poorly scripted event." "Everything about Kamala Harris right now is synthetic," they wrote. "Who talks on speaker phone with the phone up to their ear?"

Someone else said Harris was guilty of "bad acting." "She is as fake as her laugh," they added.

While another quipped, "I always walk around with a lapel mic on… just in case."

Former president Donald Trump also poked fun at Harris, addressing a crowd in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He accused the Democratic Party of installing a "puppet candidate."

"She's totally scripted, owned and controlled by the donors and the power brokers who created her campaign, who rip off our government and make billions and billions of dollars," the Republican nominee declared.

"Unlike her, I cannot be bought and I cannot be controlled. I have no interest in that. Because everything about Kamala Harris' rollout, it's phony and it's fake."

"Did you see when President Obama and Michelle called," he continued, before mocking the phone call. "'Hello, hello, yes, what's this? Oh, this is Michelle and Barack. Oh, so surprised to hear.' They got four cameras in front," Trump quipped.

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