Following yesterday’s Trump-Harris debate, social media exploded with claims that Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris was wearing hidden earphones disguised as pearl earrings — specifically, the Nova H1 Audio Earrings, a tech product from German startup NOVA Products. However, these audio earrings do not appear to be available for purchase, raising questions about the legitimacy of these claims.
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What Are Nova H1 Audio Earrings?
The Nova H1 Audio Earrings are a pair of Bluetooth-enabled, pearl-styled earrings designed to deliver sound discreetly through the earlobes. According to the Kickstarter page of NOVA Products, the earrings contain tiny speakers and microphones that enable the wearer to make private phone calls and listen to audio without conventional earbuds. They were first introduced at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, showcasing their innovative “directional sound” technology that purportedly offers privacy by transmitting sound directly into the wearer’s ear canal.
However, a quick online search reveals that the earrings are not currently on sale, and the website for NOVA Products now redirects to another company, Icebach Sound Solutions. Backers on Kickstarter have complained about non-delivery of the product for over a year, and the startup’s last activity on the platform dates back to May 2023, leading some to suspect that the project may have stalled or been abandoned.
The Kamala Harris Conspiracy Theory
The rumors surrounding Kamala Harris’s alleged use of the Nova H1 Audio Earrings during the first presidential debate against Donald Trump have gained traction primarily on social media platforms. Accounts such as @24ELECTIONS and @JonnieKing on X (formerly Twitter) have been pushing the narrative, with the latter’s post being reshared over 1.7k times. One post claims: “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.”
A Reddit group, r/conspiracy, has also contributed to the spread of this theory, sharing a side-by-side comparison of Harris wearing pearl earrings and a product image of the Nova H1 earrings. However, there is no verifiable evidence to support these allegations, and Newsweek reports that they have reached out to the Harris-Walz campaign for comment.
A History of Conspiracy Theories
This is not the first time such conspiracy theories have emerged regarding hidden communication devices during presidential debates. Similar claims were made about Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign, alleging that she wore an earpiece during the Commander-in-Chief Forum.
Fact-checking organizations like PolitiFact and Snopes quickly dismissed these claims as unfounded. During the 2020 election, President Joe Biden faced similar accusations, but his campaign and the Commission on Presidential Debates also denied any use of earpieces.
The Reality Behind the Earrings
While the internet may be rife with speculation, there is currently no proof that Kamala Harris was wearing Nova H1 Audio Earrings during the debate. In fact, several sources have pointed out that the earrings Harris wore closely resemble Tiffany & Co.’s Double Pearl Hinged Earrings, a well-known design she has been seen wearing at multiple events.
Further investigations by tech sites like Laptop Mag have determined that Harris was likely wearing her usual pearl earrings and not the Nova H1 Audio Earrings. According to style blog “What Kamala Wore,” Harris has worn the Tiffany earrings for months, debunking the claim that they were audio devices in disguise.
What Happened to the Nova H1 Audio Earrings?
Despite the recent burst of attention, the fate of the Nova H1 Audio Earrings remains uncertain. Reports suggest that the original company behind the earrings, NOVA Products, might have gone bankrupt and been acquired by Icebach Sound Solutions. Icebach has responded to the media frenzy with bizarre statements, including a claim that they would only grant an interview to Jimmy Fallon.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Icebach, Malte Iversen, made cryptic comments on LinkedIn, further fueling speculation but providing no clarity on whether the product is still in development.
Conclusion
The conspiracy theories about Kamala Harris wearing hidden audio earrings during the debate seem to be just that — conspiracy theories. As of now, there is no credible evidence that she used any kind of hidden communication device, and the Nova H1 Audio Earrings themselves appear to be more of a mystery than a reality. While such rumors may capture the imagination of the internet, the facts suggest that this is another example of baseless speculation in the digital age.
