1. What have some social media users asserted about the earrings Kamala Harris wore during Tuesday night's debate with Donald Trump?

2. Why have they made these speculations?

3. Define the terms conspiracy theory and debunk.

4. What evidence does the reporter provide to debunk the theory?

5. Read some reader comments. Write agree or disagree for each one. Discuss your answers.

Defending VP Harris:

• "MAGA scrambling to find any excuse to defend Trump's horrible debate performance when it's simply that Kamala Harris is vastly more intelligent and competent than Trump could ever be."
• "Are you kidding me!!! That is the most stupidest theory I have ever heard!"
• "Harris beat Trump fair and square. This whole earring thing is to have him save face. Trump was caught off guard - he did not expect all of that from her - not by a long shot."

Questioning the validity of the conspiracy theory label:

• "Odd, I didn't see this "conspiracy theory" investigated and proven false. Only that claims like this happened before.
  We also know that CNN gave Hillary the questions in advance before also. So, cheating by Democrats is well documented.
  UNLESS YOU INSPECTED THOSE EARRINGS, YOU CAN NOT CLAIM IT'S FALSE."

And several who don't address the earpiece theory, but think the vice president was given the questions ahead of time:

• "Yes, there was a point in the debate where Harris was talking very, very fast using many words. It was as if she memorized the answer and was reciting it before time ran out."
• "This was not a debate and everyone knows it. Kamala was given the questions, had government and ABC lawyers prepping her, had the two ABC operatives working as "moderators", and was able to bring up hoax after hoax, and lie after lie. Trump's only mistake is agreeing to it.
• "This is a woman that won't give a live press conference and you think she spoke off the cuff last night? I agree, Trump should have prepared better - but at least he has some plans on what & how to make stuff happen; what does she have - word salad and nothing with details. Unrealized capital gains.....that says it all."

6. What do you think:
a) Is it at all plausible that the Harris campaign would use some type of hidden communication device during the debate?
b) Is it at all plausible that ABC News would give the Harris campaign the questions before the debate?
c) Are the people making these claims conspiracy theorists?
Explain your answers.