Claim:

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said the European explorers ushered in “a wave of devastation for tribal nations – committing violence, stealing land and spreading disease.”

Evaluation:

Context:

Harris made the comments in 2021, not recently as viral posts in 2024 suggested.

In October 2024, less than a month before the 2024 presidential election, a video of Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris went viral in which she appeared to say:

The video was shared across dozens of accounts and garnered millions of views. Posts from some social media users suggested that the statement was made on October 14, 2024, the day both Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day were observed.

“Kamala Harris perfectly sums up her hatred of the founding of America,” said one conservative commentator wrote. “Just when I thought she couldn't get any worse, the next day happens.” one user posted. “That was 2021, but your comment is still correct.” wrote another user.

The video was authentic – meaning it was not AI-generated or otherwise digitally altered. Harris made the remarks during the 78th Annual Meeting of the National Congress of American Indians on October 12, 2021.

The speech is publicly available at C-SPAN (The statement in question begins at 1:09):

The official transcript is also available on the White House website, and the official YouTube account of the National Congress of American Indians also posted the speech.

Because Harris' video is authentic and the viral posts did not misquote her comments, we have collectively considered this claim to be a correct attribution.

Sources:

Vice President Harris Speaks at the National Congress of American Indians Convention | C-SPAN.Org. https://www.c-span.org/video/?515294-1/vice-president-harris-remarks-national-congress-american-indians-convention. Accessed Oct. 14, 2024.

The White House. “REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS AT THE 78TH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS”. The White HouseOct. 12, 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/10/12/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-at-the-national-congress-of- American Indians 78. Annual meeting/.

– YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXUY78ACLbo. Accessed Oct. 14, 2024.