A billboard displaying a vulgar and provocative image of Vice President Kamala Harris was removed by an advertising company in Licking County after they were alerted to its inappropriate nature. The billboard, located on Ohio 16 in Newark, featured a fake image of Harris in a sexually suggestive context, alongside an image of former President Donald Trump, who was labeled as the “defender of the people.” The graphic nature of the advertisement elicited significant backlash, leading the company, Kennedy Outdoor Advertising, to take swift action upon realizing the billboard’s content was offensive.
Clayton, a spokesperson for Kennedy Outdoor Advertising, emphasized that the billboard was removed on Sunday night after the company learned of its vulgarity, having been in place since at least the previous Friday. He expressed regret over the incident, stating that the company does not condone such advertising, regardless of political views. RK Towing, a local towing service, was responsible for funding the billboard, and although the company had granted permission for the advertisement, Clayton made it clear that they found the content unacceptable.
According to the spokesperson, the billboard contained a disclaimer identifying RK Towing’s owner as the sponsor, but this information was not easily discernible in images circulating on social media, where the message sparked outrage among users. Clayton noted the company’s quick response to remove the billboard, stating it was taken down “within an hour” of their realization of the sexual innuendo present in the advertisement. Initially, they had believed that the billboard merely ridiculed Harris as a “crybaby” without understanding the deeper implications of the imagery.
The vetting process for billboard advertisements was called into question by Clayton, who acknowledged that the artwork typically undergoes a limited review before approval. He explained that the artwork is often examined by just one individual, which can lead to oversights when it comes to recognizing potentially offensive content. If the review process had involved more scrutiny, Clayton speculated that the vulgar advertisement would likely not have been approved for display.
The controversy surrounding the billboard not only prompted its removal but also resulted in Kennedy Outdoor Advertising receiving threats through phone calls and emails, further complicating the situation for the company. Despite the turmoil, Clayton maintained that RK Towing frequently collaborates with them for advertising purposes and had likely not intended to create such a scandalous advertisement.
As part of an ongoing political campaign, both Harris and Trump were scheduled to visit various states leading up to Election Day, which highlights the heightened tensions surrounding the political climate in the country. The incident serves as a reflection of the often contentious and polarizing nature of modern political discourse, where provocative imagery can elicit strong reactions and lead to serious discussions about appropriateness in advertising.