An Ohio advertising company recently removed a controversial billboard along a highway in Licking County that featured a fake, explicit image of Vice President Kamala Harris. Displayed briefly over the weekend, the sign depicted the Vice President in a degrading manner, sparking public outrage and a swift response from the billboard's provider, Kennedy Outdoor Advertising.
The billboard, posted Friday and removed by Sunday, featured manipulated imagery suggesting Harris was engaging in a vulgar act, accompanied by text implying she was unavailable due to attending a "baby shower." The advertisement was visible along a busy highway, catching the attention of many passersby before complaints led to its removal.
Kennedy Outdoor Advertising, the company responsible for the billboard, addressed the situation with local news outlet The Newark Advocate, confirming that the billboard was taken down as soon as the nature of the content was brought to their attention. A spokesperson from the company, who wished to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, expressed regret over the incident.
The spokesperson clarified that the company initially missed the inappropriate implications of the image. "We thought it was simply making a political statement about Harris's role, depicting her as a 'crybaby,' not something vulgar," the spokesperson explained. "We don't support this kind of message, regardless of political stance. This was a mistake, and we're ashamed of it."
According to Kennedy Outdoor Advertising, Newark-based RK Towing financed the billboard. Attempts to reach RK Towing for comment remain unanswered. The controversy adds to the ongoing discourse surrounding portrayals of public figures, especially women, in the media, with this latest incident raising ethical concerns around boundaries in political advertising.
In addition to the Harris billboard, another advertisement in close proximity depicted former President Donald Trump. Unlike the Harris billboard, the Trump image positioned him as a symbol for his supporters, showing him looking directly at the viewer alongside the words, "In reality, they're not after me, they're after you. I'm just in the way." This quote became popular among Trump supporters after his June 2023 indictment on classified documents charges, often used to rally his base.
Local authorities were aware of the incident but received no formal complaints before the billboard's removal. Brian Mead, director of the Licking County Board of Elections, confirmed his office had not fielded calls or concerns regarding the sign before it came down.
This incident is the latest in a series of targeted attacks on Vice President Harris, who has been the subject of derogatory remarks throughout her political career. In recent months, Harris has faced sexist criticism from several prominent Republicans, including former President Trump, who allegedly made disparaging remarks about her, suggesting she attained her position through improper means. Fox News guests and Republican figures have also made insulting comments, characterizing her in demeaning terms, ranging from personal insults about her lifestyle to questioning her commitment to American interests.
The broader trend of disparaging female leaders has raised discussions about sexism in political discourse. Observers note that while both parties experience criticism, language aimed at Harris often takes on a gendered tone that impacts perceptions of women in leadership.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities in maintaining respectful political discourse, especially as public figures like Harris continue to break new ground. As public conversations around respect and representation intensify, political advertisers may face increased scrutiny to uphold standards of decency in public messaging.
