Debunked: Kamala Harris' Fake Soviet Communist Party ID Circulates Online

A fabricated Soviet Communist Party identification card featuring Vice President Kamala Harris has been circulating on social media platforms, prompting fact-checkers to investigate its authenticity. The false claim suggests that Harris received this credential from the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) in 1984.

Investigation reveals that the fake ID can be created using a template available on a Russian-language website. This site hosts multiple versions of the card with identical registration numbers but different identities and portraits. The template allows users to customize the card by uploading a photograph and filling in personal details.

Comparing the alleged Harris ID with other examples on the website shows identical design elements, including matching numbers and signatures on the right side. The photograph used in the fake ID appears to be Harris' senior portrait from Howard University, taken in 1986, not 1984 as claimed.

"Kamala Harris graduated from Howard University in 1986."

Fact-checkers have noted several inconsistencies in the claim:

• The photo's timeline doesn't match the alleged credential date
• The ID can be easily replicated using an online template
• Multiple versions of the card exist with different identities

Some social media posts falsely attributed reporting on this ID to the New York Times. However, a spokesperson for the newspaper confirmed that they "published no such article" and issued a statement on August 30, 2024, refuting these claims.

The spread of this misinformation highlights the ongoing challenges of combating fake news in the digital age. As deepfake technology advances, the creation of convincing false images and documents becomes increasingly accessible, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking in today's information landscape.

It's worth noting that Kamala Harris, born in Oakland, California, in 1964, has no documented connections to the Soviet Union or its Communist Party. She has made history as the first woman, first African American, and first Asian American to serve as Vice President of the United States, a position she assumed in 2021.

In conclusion, the alleged Soviet Communist Party ID of Kamala Harris is a fabrication, created using an online template and misrepresenting a college photograph. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in verifying information, especially during election cycles when misinformation can have significant consequences.