A seemingly mocking remark by podcast host Joe Rogan about Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining traction online.
Rogan’s comment was posted on X, formerly Twitter, on its podcast news page, alongside a video from Libs of TikTok showing Harris at a rally in Michigan. “Kamala is in Detroit with a new accent again,” @libsoftiktok captioned the footage, prompting Rogan to ask his followers, “Oops. What do you think?” The podcast host placed tear and laughter emojis and the US flag next to the remark.
The video shows the vice president speaking in a recent speech in Detroit in a manner that deviates from her usual one, appearing to change her accent as she addresses the crowd.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Observers also noted that Harris adopted a more colloquial tone and cadence, deviating from her usual manner of speaking, with hints of a possible Detroit accent.
In response to Rogan’s repost of the video and accompanying commentary, several of his followers on the page criticized Harris, accusing her of being pandering and fake and of trying to connect with audiences in a way that seems contrived and insincere.
“Kama Chameleon,” posted @therealthodin.
“Kama Kama Kama la Chameleon… Red, gold and green, red, gold and green,” agreed @PeterDavidOrr.
“Ridiculous. Now she has an accent,” said @teslatigerbull, adding a facepalm emoji.
“More pandering,” commented @basedman_99.
“Mirroring, adjusting your tone to suit your audience. Selling 101,” said @bigjlew1.
Another user criticized the accuracy of the accent: “Nobody in Michigan sounds like that, it’s like a New Jersey accent,” commented @dussia_nic8805.
This is not the first time that Harris’ accent has been questioned. As previously reported by NewsweekThe Democratic presidential candidate appeared to adopt a French accent during her visit to France in 2021. Several media outlets also reported that Harris adopted a Southern accent at a recent rally in Atlanta, Georgia.
Although code-switching – adapting one’s language, tone or behavior to suit the audience – is a common and often unconscious practice, it can backfire if it is perceived as insincere.
The speech in Detroit was part of Harris’ efforts to rally support ahead of the presidential election. She has not yet commented on the criticism or Rogan’s comments.
Rogan, whose political views are described as “libertarian-leaning” and who has supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over Harris and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, has openly criticized Harris on several occasions online and on his podcast. The Joe Rogan Experience.
Newsweek reached out to Harris’ spokesperson via email on Friday for comment.
