Fact Check: Harris Campaign Did Not Use Nazi-Era Slogan
Misinformation circulates about Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign slogan. Fact-checkers find no evidence of Nazi-era phrase usage, debunking social media claims during Democratic National Convention.
Recent social media posts have falsely claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign adopted a slogan associated with a Nazi-era program. This misinformation spread during the Democratic National Convention, prompting fact-checkers to investigate the allegations.
The claim in question suggested that Harris's campaign was using the phrase "Strength through joy" as its latest slogan. This phrase is notably associated with "Kraft durch Freude" (KdF), a leisure organization that operated in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945.
To provide context, the KdF was part of the German Labour Front and aimed to offer "programmed leisure" activities to German workers. These included evening classes, sports events, and affordable travel options. At its peak, KdF became the world's largest tourism operator, even constructing five cruise ships for worker vacations.
However, a thorough investigation revealed no evidence supporting the claim that Harris's campaign adopted this controversial phrase. The Vice President's official website and social media accounts show no instances of using the slogan. Similarly, her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has not employed the phrase in his communications.
While "joy" has been a recurring theme in Harris's campaign messaging, it is crucial to distinguish between general usage of positive terms and the specific Nazi-era slogan. The false association appears to stem from a misinterpretation or deliberate misrepresentation of the campaign's messaging.
It's worth noting that the original KdF organization, while ostensibly focused on worker welfare, was often exploited for propaganda purposes by the Nazi regime. This historical context underscores the importance of fact-checking such claims, especially during significant political events like the Democratic National Convention.
"There is no evidence the Harris campaign ever adopted a Nazi-era phrase as its slogan."
In conclusion, the claim that Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign used a Nazi-era slogan is unfounded. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking in the age of rapid information spread on social media platforms.
