As the elections approach, Kamala Harris released a video attacking Donald Trump from the perspective of Detroit residents. Detroit holds significant cultural importance and can influence many liberal voters.
The city is also known as the birthplace of one of the most influential music genres of our time — techno. In one segment of the video, viewers see Sama Abdulhadi DJing on stage in Detroit, which may give the impression that she is endorsing Kamala’s candidacy. However, Abdulhadi clarified that she has no affiliation with the campaign and does not support the candidate. She stated:
“For the avoidance of doubt, I do not endorse, nor have I ever endorsed, Vice President Harris, and I am taking the necessary legal steps to ensure that this video is promptly retracted to dispel any notion of an association between myself and VP Harris’s campaign for the US presidency.”
She further asserted, “The use of this footage was unauthorized and done without my consent. The use of this footage implies that I endorse Vice President Harris’s presidential candidacy, which is totally and utterly false; it is deeply offensive to my social, moral, and political beliefs and is misleading political advertising by VP Harris’s presidential campaign.”
This incident highlights a recurring theme in political campaigns where candidates utilize artists to gain influence. Unlike Kanye West, who openly supported Trump while wearing a red MAGA hat, AbdulHadi’s situation involves her identity being used without her consent.