Vice President Kamala Harris is under fire after a CBS Boston reporter exposed her campaign for bussing in attendees from far-off locations to boost the crowd size at her New Hampshire rally. The reporter highlighted that multiple buses were used to transport supporters to and from the rally, raising questions about the genuine level of local support for the vice president's campaign. Video footage posted on social media shows attendees lining up to board the buses after the event, fueling criticism that Harris' campaign is orchestrating "photo-op" crowds rather than drawing organic enthusiasm.
This incident is not isolated. Similar reports surfaced recently about Harris busing in supporters to a rally in Savannah, Georgia. One attendee admitted to traveling nearly four hours from Atlanta to attend the event. Such actions have prompted accusations that Harris is manufacturing support for her campaign as she prepares for a 2024 presidential run, which could indicate deeper issues with grassroots mobilization for the Democratic Party’s candidate.
Meanwhile at the Kamala Harris Arizona Rally… they are bussing people in and Blocking off Thousands of Seats in the Upper Decks of the Desert Diamond Arena to make it look like she’s filling the arena. 🤣😂😂
This arena houses 20,000 at full capacity.
How many you think is… pic.twitter.com/6LOomZRA7l
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) August 10, 2024
The use of buses to inflate crowd numbers comes at a time when Harris is facing increasing scrutiny. Critics on social media, including prominent conservative voices, have seized on the story to argue that Harris is struggling to connect with voters. Some even noted that, without these orchestrated efforts, her rallies might look far emptier, contributing to a narrative that the vice president lacks genuine public support. Social media users have been quick to mock the situation, with one commenter sarcastically asking, "What could these 12 buses possibly be doing leaving Kamala's event?" while others suggested that her campaign’s reliance on such tactics was emblematic of larger issues with her presidential bid.
The Harris campaign's efforts to stage larger crowds by busing people in have sparked significant debate. Some argue that this is a typical campaign strategy used by many political figures to ensure they have enough supporters at events, especially in less favorable regions. Others, however, view it as a desperate move to mask her waning popularity.
🚨 CBS Boston just CALLED OUT Kamala Harris for bussing in hundreds of people to make it look like she has support
This is so freaking pathetic 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/NjryJ8odSC
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 5, 2024
Adding fuel to the controversy is Harris’ broader struggle to gain traction among voters. Her campaign has been accused of using entertainment, such as free concerts, to attract people to rallies. For example, at a Wisconsin rally, much of the crowd reportedly came not to hear Harris speak but to see a performance by Grammy Award-winning band Bon Iver. Observers noted a distinct lack of campaign signs or political enthusiasm, with some even leaving the event once Harris took the stage.
This pattern of drawing crowds with non-political incentives has sparked accusations of "astroturfing"—the creation of a fake or exaggerated appearance of grassroots support. In addition to bussing attendees, it was revealed that Harris’ team has allegedly reached out to social media influencers, offering them money to promote her campaign online. Such revelations further cast doubt on the authenticity of her campaign’s support.
As the 2024 election approaches, Harris’ attempts to galvanize public enthusiasm have proven controversial. Critics argue that these efforts reflect poorly on her campaign's ability to attract genuine supporters. With her poll numbers lagging behind those of her Republican rivals, including Donald Trump, the vice president faces a challenging road ahead.
Harris’ critics have pointed out that while she appears to be struggling with genuine voter engagement, Republican candidates like Trump continue to draw large, enthusiastic crowds without relying on such tactics. Trump, for instance, recently participated in a live stream with influencer Adin Ross, drawing over half a million viewers, far exceeding what Harris has been able to muster with her traditional rallies and staged events.
