 "Democratic presidential nominee US Vice President Kamala Harris reacts during a campaign event at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US, October 17, 2024. File Image/Reuters")
United States Vice President Kamala Harris has become the target of unusual and severe accusations, with some claiming she is the “Anti-Christ.”
These bizarre claims have surfaced following a series of incidents involving Harris and religious voters, raising questions about how this narrative could impact her political chances as Election Day rounds the corner.
What is the controversy around Kamala Harris?
The controversy surrounding Harris began at a rally at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse last week, where two hecklers interrupted her speech by shouting “Christ is King” and “Jesus is Lord” in protest of her stance on abortion rights.
Harris, attempting to defuse the situation, responded humorously: “You guys are at the wrong rally. I think you meant to go to the smaller one down the street.” The audience applauded her quick-witted response, but videos of the interaction quickly went viral.
Some social media users took her comments as disrespectful to Christian values, leading to a flurry of accusations that Harris was “anti-Christian” and even the “Anti-Christ.”
A MAGA supporter online commented, “MAGA is the party of Jesus. Kamala is the party of the devil,” fueling further speculation. However, the authenticity of many of the videos circulating remains unverified.
The incident sparked a debate over whether Harris’s remarks were an innocent joke or a serious affront to religious voters.
How has the opposition reacted?
Seizing upon the Wisconsin rally controversy, Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance has actively worked to cast Harris in an anti-Christian light. During his rally in Wisconsin on Sunday, Vance was interrupted by a similar cry of “Jesus is King.”
Instead of dismissing it, Vance embraced the sentiment, responding, “That’s right. Jesus is King.” He used this moment to contrast his own faith-centred campaign with Harris’s allegedly dismissive attitude toward Christian voters.
Vance went on to criticise Harris for her broader approach to public policy, saying, “There is something really bizarre with Kamala Harris’ anti-Christian rhetoric and anti-Christian approach to public policy.”
Vance even referenced an incident involving Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Harris ally, in which she pretended to offer Doritos as communion during a podcast. Vance called this act “sacrilegious” and argued that it exemplified the Democratic Party’s disrespect for Christian values.
He further stated, “We cannot have an American government that is persecuting Christians for living their faith.” Vance’s remarks come amid an effort by the Trump campaign to appeal to Christian voters, especially Catholics, who he claims feel abandoned by the Biden-Harris administration.
Vance reiterated, “Donald Trump and I are going to fight for your right to live your values, because that’s what the First Amendment protects.”
The ‘Jezebel spirit’ accusation
In a more extreme turn, some Christian nationalist leaders have begun referring to Kamala Harris as being under the influence of a “Jezebel spirit.” This term, rooted in biblical history, has been used to describe women perceived as manipulative, untrustworthy, and morally corrupt.
In US history, particularly during the era of slavery, the term “Jezebel” has often been used to demonise Black women.
Lance Wallnau, a Christian nationalist leader and early Trump supporter, has been vocal about Harris embodying this so-called “Jezebel spirit.” In one of his videos, he said, “With Kamala, you have a Jezebel spirit… the personification of intimidation, seduction, domination, and manipulation.”
He further argued that her persona, which he described as “witchcraft,” was intended to seduce voters into seeing her as a legitimate leader.
Although Wallnau later clarified that he did not literally believe Harris to be a demon, his remarks have resonated with many religious conservatives who view Harris with suspicion. Wallnau described Trump as a modern-day “Jehu,” the biblical figure who overthrew Jezebel, and prophesied that Trump would be re-elected in 2024, casting Harris out of power.
Will this development hurt Kamala Harris’ campaign?
The timing of these religious attacks could not be worse for Harris, whose campaign is already struggling. Initially, Harris’s campaign saw a surge of momentum, positioning her as the frontrunner to replace Joe Biden. However, recent polls indicate that her lead is slipping.
A Financial Times poll from August showed that she held a slight edge in economic trust, but her support has since waned. In several key battleground states, the race is now a tie between Harris and Trump.
Many political commentators have suggested that Harris’s handling of religious issues could alienate crucial voter segments, including Christian and Black Christian voters.
Her attempts to reach out to faith communities, such as her recent visit to the Koinonia Christian Center Church in Greenville, North Carolina, where she spoke about faith in times of crisis, may not be enough to overcome the damage done by the “Anti-Christ” narrative.
Political commentators have noted that Harris’s decision to appear on Fox News in an interview with Bret Baier signals desperation within her campaign.
With inputs from agencies