2024-09-12 20:35:04
A tech company has added fuel to the Kamala Harris earrings conspiracy theory after quipping that her debate night jewelry is strikingly similar to the Bluetooth devices it makes — and has even offered to design “orange” ones for Donald Trump.
Claims that Harris, 59, was fitted with clip-on audio headphones disguised as pearl earrings for her showdown against the former president, 78, have been spreading like wildfire on social media in the wake of Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Now, Germany-based company Icebach Sound Solutions has weighed in on the viral saga after conspiracy-minded Trump supporters claimed the vice president was wearing a pair of its Bluetooth devices — the Nova H1 Audio Earring.
“We do not know whether Mrs. Harris wore one of our products. The resemblance is striking and while our product was not specifically developed for the use at presidential debates, it is nonetheless suited for it,” Icebach’s managing director, Malte Iversen, said in a tongue-in-cheek statement to tech outlet Tom’s Guide.
“To ensure a level playing field for both candidates, we are currently developing a male version and will soon be able to offer it to the Trump campaign. The choice of color is a bit challenging though as orange does not go well with a lot of colors.”
Meanwhile, the company has also vowed to clear up the “rumors and myths surrounding our wonderful products” during a forthcoming appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
“Following the presidential debate we have been contacted by numerous TV shows for interviews,” a message on the Munich-based company’s website states.
“After thorough discussions we have decided that we will grant one live interview … our chosen interviewer is Jimmy Fallon, a trusted Bavarian in heart.”
It wasn’t immediately clear when the supposed Fallon appearance was slated to air.
The so-called “earring-gate” controversy erupted after several right-wingers zeroed in on the vice president’s pearls — claiming they contained a clandestine Bluetooth device that enabled her to be coached by unseen aides during the ABC News debate in Philadelphia.
The NOVA H1 Audio Earrings, though, bear very little resemblance to the ones Harris wore — except for the fact that both include pearls.
The veep’s actual earrings appeared to look more like a gold version of the Double Pearl Hinged Earrings from Tiffany & Co.
A sterling silver version of the Tiffany earrings, which retail for $800, appear to have sold out, according to the luxe brand’s website.
The clip-on NOVA H1 Audio Earrings, meanwhile, sell for roughly $625 apiece.
Harris, for her part, has previously bashed Bluetooth earpieces as a security threat and has been spotted using wired earbuds on the campaign trail.
Still, similar theories spread on social media during the 2020 and 2016 election cycles with claims that President Biden and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton were both using earpieces during their debates against Trump.
Fact-checking websites quickly shot down those claims.
Meanwhile, Trump appeared to add to the Harris conspiracies Wednesday, suggesting to Fox News that the veep had received advance knowledge of what would be discussed.
“They had a rigged show with somebody that maybe even had the answers,” he said. “I mean, I’ll be honest, I watched her talk and I said, ‘You know, she seems awfully familiar with the questions.’”
