A poster featuring Kamala Harris in Eagles gear with a caption claiming her as the “official candidate of the Philadelphia Eagles” was spotted at a Philadelphia bus stop, discovered to be forged and ultimately removed. The artist behind the piece, Winston Tseng, stated that the poster was meant to be a satirical piece and was not intended for public display. He highlighted that the artwork was a parody of celebrity or sports endorsements of political candidates and was meant to spark conversation about the issue at hand.
The posters were placed at various locations in the city, including 16th and Spring Garden streets, 18th Street and JFK Boulevard, and 34th and Walnut streets. Although the poster was taken down, it included a URL that directed viewers to an Eagles voting website providing information on primary election voting deadlines, voting locations, and registration guidelines. Tseng has a history of posting similar art pieces, including ones featuring President Biden and former President Trump, using company brands as part of his satirical commentary on societal issues.
The timing of the Harris Eagles posters coincided with the upcoming presidential debate between Harris and Trump at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The strong reaction to the fraudulent endorsement posters led one Philadelphia resident to cover them with screenshots of the Eagles’ official statement denouncing them as counterfeit. The resident expressed concern about the spread of misinformation and the impact it could have on the election process, particularly in a crucial battleground state like Pennsylvania.
City officials revealed that the posters were likely placed in the bus station shelter ad space by someone who gained unauthorized access to the area, rather than through a digital breach. The incident prompted city authorities to conduct a full inventory of all bus shelters to remove any illegal posters. Pennsylvania is considered a pivotal state in the 2024 presidential election, with electoral and polling analysis suggesting it could be the “tipping point.” Recent polls have shown a narrowing gap between Harris and Trump in the state, with potential implications for the overall election outcome.
The controversy surrounding the fraudulent Harris Eagles endorsement highlights broader issues of political disinformation and the influence of fake endorsements on public perception. It underscores the need for vigilant monitoring of misinformation, particularly in high-stakes election environments like Pennsylvania. The incident also serves as a reminder of the power of art and satire in sparking dialogue and challenging societal norms, even when it comes in unexpected or controversial forms.
