During a town hall event broadcast by the Spanish-language network Univision, Kamala Harris faced accusations [1] of using a teleprompter, sparking criticism over the supposed “impromptu” nature of the event.
The town hall, held in Las Vegas and aimed at undecided Latino voters, was meant to be an unscripted opportunity for voters to engage directly with Harris and hear her candid responses to questions.
However, questions about the authenticity of the event arose after a technical mishap seemingly revealed a teleprompter in front of Harris during the broadcast.
While answering a question, Harris stated, “Are you a Republican, are you a Democrat? The only question I ever ask is, are you okay? And sadly, we have seen over the last two weeks since Hurricane Helene…”
As she spoke, a camera angle momentarily showed a teleprompter placed in front of her, which quickly went black after coming into view.
This led to widespread speculation that Harris was reading from pre-scripted lines instead of speaking off the cuff as expected in a town hall setting.
Critics were quick to pounce on the incident. Tim Young, a conservative commentator, remarked, “Kamala has a teleprompter for this ‘unscripted’ town hall… They forgot to hide it by turning it off until it comes into plain view.” Young’s comments were echoed by others on social media who questioned the authenticity of the event.
Kamala has a teleprompter for this “unscripted” town hall….
They forgot to hide it by turning it off until it comes into plain view. pic.twitter.com/5cRYhc2IFH [2]
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) October 11, 2024 [3]
“How in the hell do you use a teleprompter at a Town Hall?” asked Anita Broaddrick, expressing frustration over the use of what should have been an impromptu forum for direct interaction with voters. Broaddrick went further, calling Harris “the biggest Fraud to ever run for office” and adding that the situation was “absolutely laughable.”
How in the hell do you use a teleprompter at a Town Hall? A Town Hall is suppose to be Impromptu.
Kamala is the biggest Fraud to ever run for office. It’s absolutely laughable. pic.twitter.com/6dTyNwpAKd [4]
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) October 11, 2024 [5]
Prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk also weighed in, writing, “BUSTED!! Kamala was just caught using a teleprompter at her Univision town hall! Producers panic and turn off the prompter midway through her answer. Why did Univision allow this?! This is egregious journalistic malpractice.”
BUSTED!!
Kamala was just caught using a teleprompter at her Univision town hall! Producers panic and turn off the prompter midway through her answer.
Why did Univision allow this?! This is egregious journalistic malpractice. pic.twitter.com/tH5Bh2clBx [6]
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 11, 2024 [7]
Kirk’s tweet quickly gained traction as others voiced their concerns about what they saw as an orchestrated event rather than a spontaneous engagement with voters.
Benny Johnson, another conservative commentator, added to the outcry, noting that “Univision accidentally broadcast proof that Kamala used a teleprompter at her town hall. Watch them panic when they realized they were showing the prompter live on-air.” This comment highlighted the role of the network in the controversy, raising questions about the event’s staging and the level of involvement by the television production crew.
The incident also led to accusations of Harris adopting a “fake accent” during her responses, a claim that has followed her throughout her political career in various forums.
HOLY SMOKES Kamala pulls out a hispanic accent at a Univision Latino town hall:
“I hope your family is okayyy and your home is okayyyy” pic.twitter.com/x4VhbK0GuZ [8]
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) October 11, 2024 [9]
Critics have previously accused Harris of altering her speech patterns to appeal to different audiences, and this event only added fuel to that ongoing narrative.
Kamala Harris is as fake as her accents. pic.twitter.com/WHwPfIfgc2 [10]
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 9, 2024 [11]
The town hall, which was intended to connect Harris with undecided Latino voters in a key swing state, instead became a flashpoint for criticism.