The False Claim About Kamala Harris’ Rally Crowds
Recent social media posts have been circulating a meme that falsely claims Vice President Kamala Harris hired actors to attend her rallies. This misinformation has been online for years and wrongly associated with former President Trump’s campaign as well.
One of those who spread this false claim was Donald Trump himself, alleging that Harris was fabricating images of rally crowds. However, this claim has been debunked.
According to the misleading screenshot shared online, a Craigslist ad was supposedly posted by Harris’ campaign looking for paid actors to attend one of her rallies in Phoenix. The ad called for people to participate in protest activities against Trump, offering $15 per hour for about 500 spots.
The Question: Did Harris’ Campaign Really Post This Ad?
However, investigations have revealed that the Craigslist ad was not placed by the Kamala Harris campaign. The location and details in the ad do not match the actual rally held by Harris and Tim Walz in Glendale, Arizona on April 9.
A similar meme with interchangeable political agendas has been circulating online since 2019, indicating a recurring pattern of misinformation on social media platforms.
Furthermore, a reverse image search uncovered an older version of the meme associated with a pro-Trump event, suggesting a campaign tactic used by various parties over the years.
In response to these claims, a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign stated that they do not pay individuals to attend rallies, including the one in Arizona.
Fact Checking the False Claims
VERIFY’s investigation found that the Craigslist ad was not genuine, and similar fake ads have surfaced in the past without any confirmation of authenticity.
Moreover, the location mentioned in the meme does not match the actual venue of the rally, adding to the evidence that this claim is false.
It’s essential to be cautious of misinformation spread on social media and to verify the legitimacy of claims before sharing them.
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