Trump accuses Kamala Harris of staging Hurricane Helene briefing photo

Former President Donald Trump charged Monday that a photograph of Vice President Kamala Harris purportedly being briefed on the impacts of Hurricane Helene was “staged” and “fake” because her earbuds appear to not be plugged into her cellphone. 

“Another FAKE and STAGED photo from someone who has no clue what she is doing,” the Republican presidential nominee wrote on Truth Social. 

“You have to plug the cord into the phone for it to work!” he added. 

The photograph in question – posted on Harris’ official vice presidential X account on Sunday – shows the Democratic nominee appearing pensive and writing notes as she takes a call aboard Air Force Two.  

“I was just briefed by [FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell] on the latest developments about the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene,” Harris states in the post. “We also discussed our Administration’s continued actions to support emergency response and recovery.”

“I also spoke with [North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper] about the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts in North Carolina,” she added. “Our Administration will continue to stay in constant contact with state and local officials to ensure communities have the support and resources they need.” 

As Trump and several social media users pointed out, from the angle of the photograph posted on X, the cord that should be connecting Harris’ old-fashioned earbuds to the phone resting on the table in front of her dangles straight down and does not appear to be connected to the device. 

The sheet of paper in front of Harris also appears to be blank. 

“This is the most VEEP-like photo ever — pretending to be on a phone call but forgetting to plug in the antiquated earphones while pretending to write on a blank piece of paper instead of actually doing anything,” conservative commentator Mollie Hemingway wrote on X.

“Border Czar Kamala can’t miss a photo op,” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) tweeted. “The photographer should make sure the headphones are plugged into the phone next time.” 

“Thank goodness she’s pretending to write on this blank piece of paper from the plane while campaigning,” Republican communicator Matt Whitlock wrote on X. “I’m sure the people without power and water feel totally supported.” 

Harris, 59, has not traveled to any of the states affected by the storm, which has killed at least 120 people across the southeastern US since making landfall last Thursday.

Meanwhile, Trump, 78, toured some of the damage left by Helene in Valdosta, Ga., on Monday and spoke with impacted citizens and local officials. 

The former president also pledged to deliver several semi trucks filled with “relief aid,” including gasoline, during his visit to the Peach State. 

“Biden and Harris abandoned Americans in Afghanistan,” Trump’s Truth Social post continued. “They sacrificed Americans to an Open Border, and now, they have left Americans to drown in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and elsewhere in the South.”

“Under this Administration, Americans always come last, because we have ‘leaders’ who have no idea how to lead!” he added. 

The Harris campaign did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.