New Delhi:

The fierce US presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump took social media by storm, generating responses of all kinds ranging from netizens to Taylor Swift and Elon Musk. The debate attracted 67.1 million television viewers, according to Nielsen data.

What followed, is a conspiracy theory, mostly by Trump supporters, who claimed that Kamala Harris had clip-on audio headphones on her throughout the debate, under the guise of her pearl earrings. There were speculations that her earrings were actually Icebach Sound Solutions’ Nova H1 Audio Earrings, a Bluetooth device designed to look like jewellery. 

In a statement fuelling the speculation, Icebach’s managing director, Malte Iversen, reportedly said to tech outlet Tom’s Guide, “We do not know whether Mrs Harris wore one of our products. The resemblance is striking.” He also humorously offered to create a male version of the device for Trump, suggesting that the colour orange posed a design challenge. 

KAMALA HARRIS EXPOSED FOR WEARING EARPIECE IN DEBATE *PROOF

She is seen wearing an earring developed by Nova Audio Earrings first seen at CES 2023.

This earring has audio transmission capabilities and acts as a discreet earpiece.

Kamala Harris confirms claims that a… pic.twitter.com/1y60rUdJT0

— ELECTION2024 (@24ELECTIONS) September 11, 2024

Despite the viral claims, experts and fact-checkers have pointed out that Harris’s actual earrings are the Double Pearl Hinged Earrings from Tiffany & Co. which retail for approximately $800. These earrings bear little resemblance to Icebach’s Bluetooth devices, which are priced at around $625. 

Harris has previously criticized the use of Bluetooth earpieces as a security risk and has been seen using wired earbuds during her campaign. The ongoing speculation surrounding her jewellery highlights the heightened scrutiny and mistrust that often accompany political debates. 

Similar conspiracy theories were spotted on social media during the 2020 and 2016 election cycles which claimed that Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton were using earpieces during their debates against Trump.

As reported by the New York Post, Icebach Sound Solutions has also announced plans to address the rumours during an upcoming appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The company stated on its website that it has received numerous interview requests since the debate and chose Fallon as a “trusted Bavarian in heart” for a live interview.

However, it looks like Donald Trump might not need this offer of similar earpieces as he has already refused to have another debate with Kamala Harris. “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” the former president wrote on the social media site Truth Social.

Ahead of a game-changing presidential debate, US Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris walked over to her Republican rival Donald Trump and shook hands with him. This was the first time two US presidential candidates have shaken hands since 2016.

The debate also marks the first time the two candidates have met each other face-to-face.

As the two rivals entered the debate stage, Trump headed to his podium on the left to take his place. Kamala Harris, on the other hand, crossed the stage, walked up to him and held out her hand.

“Kamala Harris, Let’s have a good debate,” she said as she introduced herself to the former president.

“Nice to see you, let’s have fun,” Trump replied and the two shook hands.

“Thank you,” Harris said.

Right off the bat, tonight’s debate starts on a different foot than the Biden/Trump debate in June– Harris goes for a handshake, introducing herself to Trump while saying, “Let’s have a good debate.” Trump responds, “Nice to see you– have fun.” pic.twitter.com/QVX8hoX8u6

— DJ Judd (@DJJudd) September 11, 2024

While there is no rule that require the two candidates to shake hand, it does mark a gesture of civility ahead of what is usually a politically brutal face-off.

The high-stakes debate began with a fiery jab by the 78-year-old Republican who called Harris a “Marxist” and claimed that she and President Joe Biden had allowed “millions of people pouring into our country from prisons and jails, from mental institutions and insane asylums.”

Harris jibed the former US president several time by calling him a “convicted felon”, “friend of dictators” and saying that he used “race to divide the American people.”

She said Trump’s own former White House security officials have called him a “disgrace.” “World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump,” she added.

The crucial debate comes only 56 days before the election in what has been a narrow race to the White house.

The last presidential debate in June resulted in Joe Biden pulling out of his reelection campaign and nominating Harris to take his place instead.

Almost all polls have shown the two candidates in a tight neck-and-neck contest.

The debate proved to be a critical chance for the two rivals to battle it out before the US goes to vote on November 5.