‘I Have Sued Exxon Mobil,’ Kamala Harris Said. Not Quite.

For years, researchers, activists and government officials have pointed to evidence that Exxon Mobil had in-depth knowledge of the risks of fossil fuels while misleading the public about the severity of climate change.

During the Democratic forum on climate change on Wednesday night, that issue got a prime-time airing. And Senator Kamala Harris of California got applause from the audience when she answered a question about climate “disinformation” spread by corporate interests.

“What would you do?” Erin Burnett, a CNN moderator, asked. “Would you sue them? Would you sue Exxon Mobil?”

“I have sued Exxon Mobil,” Ms. Harris replied.

Not quite.