Vice President Kamala Harris's recent video message to campaign staff has sparked widespread speculation and professional scrutiny.
According to Daily Mail, medical professionals have raised questions about Harris's demeanor in a 28-second clip where she appeared bleary-eyed and exhibited slurred speech while addressing Democratic supporters.
The video, recorded at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco following Harris's six-day vacation in Hawaii, shows the Vice President delivering an unusual speech that prompted social media users to question her condition. The footage quickly went viral, generating numerous memes and edited versions showing Harris holding alcohol bottles.
Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist experienced in treating alcoholics, observed several potential indicators of alcohol influence in Harris's presentation.
These included half-closed eyes, slightly slurred speech, and exaggerated hand movements. The expert noted that while the video has been subject to various edited versions online, even unaltered footage displays concerning behaviors.
Dr. Stuart Fischer, an emergency medicine physician in New York City, pointed to specific physical manifestations that suggested possible alcohol consumption. He noted Harris's distinctive head movements and emphasized that her extended eye closures during blinks exceeded normal duration, which typically lasts between 100 to 150 milliseconds.
The medical professionals also highlighted Harris's prolonged chest-touching gesture and relaxed chair positioning as potential indicators. However, they acknowledged that other factors, such as fatigue or medication side effects, could potentially explain the behavior.
Body language analyst Judi James provided a different perspective on Harris's appearance in the video. She suggested that rather than showing signs of intoxication, the Vice President's behavior indicated difficulty in expressing genuine emotion and empathy toward supporters.
James analyzed Harris's gestures, describing them as "flaccid" and noting that they conveyed a weaker impression than her verbal message. The analyst interpreted the Vice President's demeanor as an attempt to demonstrate an emotional connection with campaign staff following recent political developments.
The recording featured Harris speaking alongside Tim Walz in a 13-minute national grassroots call, though only a brief portion was shared on the Democrats' official social media account. During the message, Harris exhibited notable pauses and delivered what some observers characterized as disjointed statements.
Medical experts noted that this incident occurred 22 days after the election, suggesting that exhaustion from campaign activities would be an unlikely explanation for Harris's presentation. The Vice President has previously faced unsubstantiated allegations regarding alcohol consumption, including comments from Trump 2024 political director James Blair in August.
The controversy surrounding the video has drawn varied responses from political commentators and social media users. Some viewers expressed concern about the Democrats' decision to release the footage, while others questioned the appropriateness of the Vice President's presentation.
These developments have added to ongoing public discourse about Harris's public appearances and communication style. The Vice President's team has not responded to requests for comment regarding the medical experts' observations about the video.
