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If it is an ionic phenomenon, then it could not possibly work in a vacuum.
The effect must be in relation to voltage gradient i.e., the distance between the electrodes for a given voltage (EMF)
There must be a force generated to defy gravity, therefore energy is consumed. This energy can come only from the capacitor's charge. At the scale shown in the photo, the capacity can be only in the order of picofarads, so that the energy stored, even at 30 kV, will be tiny. The energy in a capacitor =1/2*C*V^2 in watt-seconds, so let's make a large assumption of 100 pF, so the energy would be 0.0450 W.s which is next to bugger-all (comparison: a 60 W bulb alight for 1 second would consume 60 W.s).
As the energy would be consumed to counter gravity, so the capacitor would rapidly discharge.
As an aside, whoever saw a wire carrying 30 kV with such thin insulation as the red one? (compare it with the 25 kV wire clipped on to the side of your TV tube),
Assuming the date of the report is not 1 April, I wouldn't start holding your breath for electrostatic levitation, in the true spirit of advocatus diaboli.
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