Former President Donald Trump’s debate against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris on Tuesday night ended in notable defeat for Trump, with even Fox News commentators acknowledging his unimpressive performance. Instead of focusing on Trump’s shortcomings, some far-right supporters have turned to dubious conspiracy theories, alleging that Harris cheated by using hidden technology during the debate.
The Earpiece Allegation
One of the more outlandish theories claims that Harris was equipped with a Bluetooth earpiece disguised as earrings, allowing her to receive answers from aides. Laura Loomer, known for her controversial views and connections to Trump, was among the first to push this idea. Loomer posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting Harris’ earrings and suggesting they might be Nova H1 audio earrings used for covert communication.
This theory was quickly amplified by other right-wing figures, including Tara Bull, who also claimed that Harris was receiving debate prompts through her earrings. Another account, “The Truth About Vaccines,” supported these unfounded claims with similar speculative analyses.
Loomer’s role in this narrative is notable due to her proximity to Trump. Seen boarding his plane before the debate and rumored to be a potential hire for his campaign, Loomer has not officially joined Trump’s team but has been a vocal supporter. Her promotion of the earpiece theory reflects her contentious position and close ties to Trump’s circle.
Despite the lack of credible evidence, the theory gained traction, bolstered by social media echo chambers. One account, “The Maverick Approach,” even suggested that Harris was using advanced German-made earrings to cheat. However, this claim was unfounded, as the earrings in question, the NOVA H1, look quite different from those Harris wore.
Debunking the Claims
The NOVA H1 Audio Earrings are a real product designed for audio use, but they differ significantly from Harris’ earrings. Icebach Sound Solutions, the manufacturer, addressed the conspiracy in a statement, saying they could not confirm if Harris wore their product but noted that their earrings could suit a debate setting. Malte Iverson from Icebach humorously suggested they might develop a male version for Trump, but this was clearly a jest.
There is no evidence supporting the claim that Harris used these earrings to cheat. The ongoing promotion of this theory seems to be a distraction from Trump’s debate performance.
Trump’s Debate Performance
Trump’s debate performance was widely criticized, even by his supporters. Commentators like Bill O’Reilly and Geraldo Rivera harshly condemned Trump, with O’Reilly mocking his bizarre comments about migrants and Rivera calling him “childish” and “creepy.” Rivera even suggested that Trump’s performance was so poor he wouldn’t have made a junior high debate team.
Trump’s most peculiar claim during the debate was that migrants were eating pets, a baseless rumor. This, along with other erratic statements, raised concerns about his suitability for the presidency.
Polling and Future Prospects
Current polls show a tight race, with FiveThirtyEight’s average placing Harris at 47% and Trump at 44.3%. These figures do not yet reflect the debate’s impact, and it remains to be seen if Trump’s performance will shift the numbers significantly.
Harris will need strong showings in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan to secure an Electoral College victory. Polls indicate she is competitive in states like North Carolina and Georgia, but the final outcome will depend on Election Day results.
Ongoing Conspiracy Theories
Despite clear evidence to the contrary, the earpiece conspiracy theory continues to circulate online. Posts on forums like r/conspiracy and other social media platforms perpetuate the false claims. One user, “The Maverick Approach,” later admitted the theory was a troll, meant to stir controversy rather than reflect reality. They acknowledged that Harris’ performance was lackluster without any external assistance.
Similar earpiece conspiracy theories emerged in past election cycles involving candidates like Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. Fact-checkers have consistently debunked these allegations.
Trump has hinted at potential cheating, suggesting on “Fox & Friends” that Harris seemed too prepared and implying the debate may have been rigged. This rhetoric underscores the extent to which Trump and his supporters are willing to go to question the legitimacy of the debate process.
