Looking at claims Kamala Harris said she smoked in college while listening to Tupac

Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris was on the radio show "The Breakfast Club" in 2019 when she said she smoked marijuana when she was in college. 

The senator from California had announced her own presidential candidacy the previous month, and the interview, which included questions about her musical tastes, quickly became fodder for political pundits. 

It also spawned Facebook posts like this one, which shows photos of Harris and the rappers Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur.

"Kamala Harris says she smoked weed in college while listening to Tupac & Snoop," the post says. "She graduated in 1986. Snoop’s first album — 1993. Tupac’s first album — 1991."

This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) 

It’s true that Harris graduated from Howard University in 1986. Snoop Dogg’s first album debuted in 1993. Tupac released his first solo album in 1991.

But, as the New York Times details, what Harris said during the radio interview is less clear than the Facebook post lets on. 

"Ms. Harris’s campaign vehemently denies that she ever claimed to be listening to Tupac and Snoop Dogg while in college," the Times reported. 

You can watch the interview here. Here’s a synopsis: 

One of the show’s hosts, Charlamagne tha God, asked Harris if she had ever smoked marijuana. Harris said she had.

Later the interview pivoted toward music. She had earlier named Tupac and Snoop Dogg as two favorite artists. 

Around the 38-minute mark, another of the show’s hosts, D.J. Envy, asked: "What does Kamala Harris listen to?"

Before Harris could answer, Charlamagne tha God interjected and asked her about what she listened to while she smoked in college. 

"What were you listening to when you was high?" Charlamagne tha God said. "What was on? What song was on?"

Then D.J. Envy said: "Was it Snoop?"

"Oh yeah, definitely Snoop," Harris said. "Tupac for sure."

"What do you listen to now, what’s your favorite hip-hop artist now?" D.J. Envy said. 

"You know who I really love is Cardi B," Harris said.

It’s unclear which of the questions Harris is answering: what music she listens to, or what she listened to while smoking.

Ian Sams, Harris’ spokesperson at the time, tweeted that it "really isn’t that complicated."

"The rightwing is so desperate to attack @KamalaHarris they’re trying to make Reefergate happen," he said. "@djenvy asked what she listened to. @cthagod made a pot joke. Then she answered @djenvy’s question."

D.J. Envy agreed with this. Appearing on MSNBC, he said: "I asked what she listens to, and she said she listens to Snoop Dogg and Tupac. At the same time, my co-host was talking about marijuana. … But she was actually answering me and people took it as she was answering Charlamagne, and said she was lying, which is not true."