Doctors question if Kamala Harris was tipsy in bizarre new video message

Kamala Harris was hit by a torrent of memes after releasing a bizarre video message in which she slurred her words and appeared bleary-eyed.

Many on social media wondered whether the Vice President was drunk, sharing edited clips showing her clutching a bottle of liquor while delivering the unusual speech.

Now doctors are also raising concerns about whether Harris — who has been subject to unsubstantiated rumors about her alcohol consumption in the past — was tipsy.

In a rare appearance since losing the 2024 presidential election, the VP, 60, last night filmed a video from California where she told campaign staff they still 'had the same power' despite the loss to Donald Trump.

Dr Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist who has worked with alcoholics, told DailyMail.com after viewing the video that she couldn't rule out that Harris was under the influence.

She pointed to the VP's her half-closed eyes, slightly slurred speech and over-emphasized hand movements, saying they were all signs she may have had something to drink.

Dr Stuart Fishcer, an emergency medicine doctor in New York City, added that her head movements also suggested she had consumed alcohol.

The experts said other factors such as embarrassment over losing, or exhaustion could also be at play, although they pointed out that it was now 22 days since the election. 

They also raised the possibility that it could be the result of undisclosed medication the VP is taking, using sleeping pills, for example. 

Separately, body language experts told DailyMail.com her bizarre demeanor was an attempt to come across likeable and express honest human emotion.

Harris was at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California, on Tuesday afternoon — following a six-day R&R vacation to Hawaii. 

Kamala appeared in a 13-minute national grassroots call with Tim Walz to thank campaign staff for their work, which was then posted as a 28-second clip on the Democrats' official X page. 

Dr Fischer said: 'She's not royally drunk, but that's definitely the right word [tipsy].

'She has slightly slurred speech and there was also this head movement, a kind of bobbing movement like you are calmed down by an intoxicant but you still have to give a serious speech.

'I don't think this is exhaustion or anything else, no, this is not merely days later, this is days and days after the election.'

Dr Fischer pointed out that Harris took long pauses in which she closed her eyes.

He said this struck him as unusual because a standard blink should only last between 100 to 150 milliseconds.

When intoxicated, people tend to blink less because alcohol acts as a depressant, slowing down nervous system activity, including the natural reflex to blink.

The doctors also highlighted the moment Harris held her hands to her chest for six seconds and then leaned back in her chair.

Both doctors said these slow and delayed movements, as well as the more relaxed positioning of her hands, were signs that she may have been drinking.

At another point, she also appears to slur her speech when she says: 'I just have to remind you... (two second pause)... don't you ever let anybody take your power from you.'

And again, when she says: 'And you have the same purpose... (one second pause)... that you did... (three second pause)... and you have the same... (two second pause)... ability... (one second pause)... to engage and inspire.'

Dr Lieberman said: 'There are many videos online that are photoshopped to make her look worse (more drunk), but even the way she looks in the non-photoshopped videos shows evidence of being drunk.

'When you are drunk, you are less inhibited, and that is what we are seeing here.'

Body language analyst Judi James had a different take, however, saying that the video clearly showed that Harris had difficulty expressing honest human emotion.

She said: 'This was a very verbose speech that combines Harris' talent for the word salad with her signature body language rituals that try to persuade you that you are listening to some extremely profound, motivational thoughts and messages.'

She said that rather than being drunk, it appeared that Harris was almost grasping to demonstrate emotion about the loss and empathy for her supporters.

'Her gestures are largely flaccid, including the waggling finger, implying a weaker impression than her words,' James said.

Kamala has previously faced unverified accusations that she has a drinking problem, including from Trump 2024 political director James Blair.

He posted on X, formerly Twitter, in August: 'A lot of rumors out there about Kamala having a serious drinking problem... apparently coming into focus as campaign heats up.'

In late September, Kamala was also accused of being drunk at a rally in Atlanta, Georgia, after video was circulated of her appearing to speak slowly.

But analysis quickly suggested that this clip had been edited to make Harris appear 'hammered'.

Saturday Night Live also suggested Harris had a drinking problem in October, after an actress playing the Vice President was shown holding and refilling a large glass of red wine.

Responding to the video posted on the Democrats' X page, one user said: 'Is this a... joke? It's a terrible video.'

Another said, 'Why would the Democrats put this video out of a clearly drunk Kamala?? They want her career over.', and a third said, 'Be honest... is she drunk?'. 

Tim Walz, Kamala's vice presidential nominee, was first to appear on the call where, in a serious tone, he thanked staff for their efforts and said it had been a 'privilege of a lifetime'.

But it then took a step-change when Kamala appeared, starting with 'thank you Tim, back at you brother, you are such an extraordinary leader'.