Detail in Kamala Harris video ignites allegations call with voter was ‘fake’

A detail in a video of Kamala Harris has fuelled allegations of staging a phone call with a voter – but it may not be as it seems.

Kamala Harris has fuelled allegations of a fake political phone banking moment by having the camera app open on her phone instead of a call screen.

The US vice president and presidential nominee stopped by the Democratic National Committee headquarters on election day and was handed a phone by a staffer.

“Hi. How you doing?” she said, greeting the caller after introducing herself.

“I just came by to see if all [these] incredible people from every background who are all here voting make calls to reach out to our fellow Americans to remind you how important your vote is.”

She then asked if the person had voted already.

After a pause, she said: “You did? Thank you.”.

As the crowd cheered, Ms Harris turned the phone around, seemingly so the person on the phone could hear the support.

But the phone screen showed the camera app was open, not an active call screen.

While it is possible to have the camera app on an iphone open while on a call, critics have shared the video across social media claiming it is proof of a “fake” phone call and that nobody was on the line.

Another photo from a different angle clearly shows Ms Harris on a call, but it is not clear if it was the same call or even the same phone.

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Kamala Harris holds up a phone as she phone banks with volunteers at the DNC headquarters on election day in Washington. Picture: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

In this photo, the phone screen shows Ms Harris is on a call. Picture: Brendan Smialowski / AFP

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The moment comes after Trump supporters claimed a doorknocking photo opportunity in Pennsylvania was staged.

In one video (watch in the player above), Ms Harris greeted a surprised family standing on a porch.

“I want to door knock,” she then told them. They walked towards the door and cameras were seen repositioning, however that particular clip did not show Ms Harris knocking on a closed door.

Harris’ campaign shared a different video on TikTok, which has had almost three million views.

In that clip, she approaches a different house and knocks on the door, greeted by a surprised resident who asks for a hug.

Earlier in the campaign, Donald Trump visited a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania and was filmed serving customers in the drive-through as part of a staged photo opportunity.

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As Mr Trump walked over to the window to deliver an apparent customer some fries, he exclaimed: “Would you believe this? He’s a MAGA guy all the way.”

But it turned out the McDonald’s restaurant was actually closed to the public.

The customers Mr Trump served were pre-screened by US Secret Service and pre-positioned, according to The Washington Post, which also reported attendees did not place an order and instead just accepted whatever Mr Trump gave them.

A sign had been put up at the franchise informing locals that the restaurant would be closed until 4pm, and apologising for the inconvenience.