Vice President Kamala Harris's phone call with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz prior to his Democratic National Convention (DNC) speech has drawn criticism on social media.
Harris shared the video on Wednesday, which shows her offering encouragement to Walz before his address at the convention in Chicago. However, according to a report from Breitbart News, some viewers have labeled the exchange as "scripted" and "fake. "
In the clip, Harris asks Walz about his feelings before taking the stage and assures him that he will be "fantastic" during his speech.
Walz responds positively, mentioning the "electric" atmosphere and the importance of the week's messages. He expresses his readiness to deliver a "freedom speech" and anticipates enthusiasm from Minnesotans in attendance.
The video quickly garnered attention on social media platforms, with users questioning the authenticity of the conversation. Mike Sperrazza, an X (formerly Twitter) user, described the exchange as "More staged, scripted bullshit." This sentiment was echoed by other commenters who expressed skepticism about the genuineness of the interaction.
One social media user suggested that such exchanges are "always fake because they really do not know how to be real." Another commenter expressed frustration with what they perceived as an "amateur play," hoping for a change in the upcoming November elections.
The criticism of this pre-speech call adds to a series of recent incidents involving Harris and Walz that have attracted public attention.
A separate video online shows the pair, along with Harris's husband Doug Emhoff, seemingly engaged in a lighthearted search for snacks at a Sheetz convenience store.
The phone call between Harris and Walz took place on the third night of the Democratic National Convention. Political observers have noted that the first two days of the convention were marked by frequent criticisms of former President Donald Trump, who is running against Harris and Walz in the upcoming election.
Breitbart News reporter Matthew Boyle commented on the focus of the convention:
On Wednesday, all eyes will be on the pathological liar Democrat presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris selected as her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Walz has demonstrably lied about his service record in the Minnesota National Guard, claiming falsely, multiple times, that he served 'in war' and inflating his rank upon retirement.
The controversy surrounding the pre-speech call comes at a time when Harris is preparing to accept the Democratic Party's nomination.
However, some critics have pointed out that since joining the race on July 21, Harris has not conducted interviews, held press conferences, or provided substantial policy details.
The reaction to Harris and Walz's phone call highlights the scrutiny faced by political figures in the age of social media. As the Democratic National Convention continues, the incident may contribute to ongoing discussions about authenticity and messaging in political campaigns. With Harris expected to accept the party's nomination, the controversy adds another dimension to the public's perception of the Democratic ticket as they move forward in the election cycle.
