VP Kamala Harris wore Tiffany earrings, not Nova H1 audio earrings, during the presidential debate

But after the debate, some people on social media weren’t focused on the candidates’ claims or their policies. They claimed Harris was wearing “audio” or “earphone” earrings, suggesting people were secretly coaching the vice president in a violation of debate rules. 

Loomer and other people on social media included photos of Nova H1 audio earrings in their posts, which are described as the “first and only wireless earphones embedded in a pair of pearl earrings on a gold- or silver-plated clip.”

Several VERIFY readers asked us whether the claims about Harris wearing these audio earrings are true. 

THE QUESTION

Did Kamala Harris wear Nova H1 audio earrings during the Sept. 10 presidential debate?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

No, Kamala Harris did not wear Nova H1 audio earrings during the presidential debate. There are clear differences between these earrings and the pair Harris wore during the debate.

WHAT WE FOUND

Harris was not wearing the Nova H1 audio earrings that are shown in social media posts during the presidential debate. 

The Nova H1 audio earrings are a pair of wireless earphones embedded in a pair of pearl earrings, according to Icebach Sound Solutions, the German company that produced them. The company’s website features silver and gold versions of the earrings, both of which have a pearl and a bulky front and back clip that fastens around a person’s earlobe. 

Harris’ earrings have a pearl and two prongs that circle around her earlobe in a “J” shape.

Harris was wearing South Sea pearl earrings from Tiffany’s HardWear Collection during the debate. Blogger Susan Kelley, who tracks what Harris wears in her blog “What Kamala Wore,” included a photo of the original product on Tiffany’s site. 

Though these gold pearl earrings aren’t available on the Tiffany website anymore, VERIFY found a similar pair of pearl earrings in sterling silver from Tiffany’s HardWear collection that cost $800. These earrings have the same J-shaped prongs that circle around the earlobe, but the pearls on Harris’ earrings appear to be larger. They also have a post for pierced ears rather than a clip. Tiffany says its HardWear collection is “inspired by a quintessential bracelet from 1962 found in the House’s archives.

Another post from “What Kamala Wore” includes photos of the vice president wearing the same gold Tiffany earrings to various events, including President Joe Biden’s March 2024 State of the Union Address.

In response to VERIFY’s questions about Harris’ earrings, Malte Iversen, the managing director for Icebach Sound Solutions, sent a tongue-in-cheek response:

“We do not know whether Mrs. Harris wore one of our products. The resemblance is striking and while our product was not specifically developed for the use at presidential debates, it is nonetheless suited for it. To ensure a level playing field for both candidates, we are currently developing a male version and will soon be able to offer it to the Trump campaign. The choice of colour is a bit challenging though as orange does not go well with a lot of colours.”

VERIFY sent the company follow-up questions but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

VERIFY digital journalist Erin Jones contributed to this report.