In Latino exile communities across the country, a big question is being asked: is Kamala Harris really a communist? Since she became the Democratic candidate for president, many misleading claims have said she is a socialist or communist, according to Factchequeado, the US’s largest Spanish-language fact-checker.
Experts note that these claims play on real fears from voters who escaped repression in countries like Cuba and Venezuela. In one viral video, Harris and her running mate Tim Walz appear to pose for a selfie in front of a sign for Revolutionary Communists of America, a far-left group. However, this video is fake; it was altered by a group of Donald Trump supporters known as the Dilley Meme Team.
The original post gained over 420,000 views and was widely shared by Spanish accounts and repeated offline. Evelyn Pérez-Verdía, a cultural strategist from south Florida, shared her concerns after hearing Spanish radio hosts in Miami discussing the false meme. They said, “Did you see them standing in front of that picture? They have no shame in who they are.” After she contacted the station, the hosts later said the video was fake but still claimed, “that doesn’t take away from the reality that Kamala is a Marxist.”
The spread of ‘Comrade Kamala’ memes among Latino exile communities reflects deep-rooted fears and suspicions. Many who fled authoritarian regimes in Cuba and Venezuela are sensitive to any association with communism or socialism. Misleading claims about Kamala Harris being a communist have gained traction, particularly on social media.
These memes often play on existing fears, using altered images or false narratives to create a negative portrayal. For example, a viral video falsely depicted Harris posing with a sign for a radical group, which was later debunked. Despite being proven fake, the narrative stuck, fueled by influential voices in the community.
As misinformation spreads, it taps into the anxieties of those who have experienced repression, making them more receptive to such claims. This environment allows ‘Comrade Kamala’ memes to thrive, reinforcing doubts and fears about her political beliefs.