Trump blasts Harris for posting 'fake and staged' photo from Hurricane Helene briefing

Former US President Donald Trump took aim at Kamala Harris again, claiming the vice president staged the photo while briefing him on the impact of Hurricane Helen, which has killed over 130 people so far.

Trump said the image was “fake” and “staged” because Harris' earbuds did not appear to be connected to her cellphone.

“Another FAKE and INSPECTED photo of someone who has no idea what she is doing,” the Republican presidential candidate wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

“You have to connect the cable to the phone for it to work!” he added.

The photo in question was posted to Harris' official Vice Presidential X account on Monday (September 30), where she appeared pensive while taking notes aboard Air Force Two.

“I was just updated by @FEMA_Deanne Criswell on the latest developments on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene. We also discussed our government’s continued actions to support emergency response and recovery,” Harris wrote.

“Our administration will continue to remain in constant contact with state and local officials to ensure communities receive the support and resources they need,” she added.

View | US elections 2024: First interview with Harris as a presidential candidate

With just over a month to go before the election, Trump has increased the intensity and frequency of his attacks on Harris.

Last week, Trump called Harris “mentally impaired” while speaking at a rally in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The Republican leader blamed Harris for the current border situation in which illegals are indiscriminately entering the United States.

“Joe Biden was mentally disabled. Kamala was born this way. She was born that way. And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country. “Everyone would know that,” Trump said.

“I can’t even believe she’s being considered. Eight weeks ago she was considered the worst vice president in history. A very stupid person. The fake news called them 'stupid', 'stupid', 'had no chance'.”

This wasn't the first time Trump launched ad hominem attacks on Harris. In July, he questioned Harris' racial identity during a panel with the National Association of Black Journalists, which earned the former US president much criticism.

(With contributions from agencies)