Vice President Kamala Harris has been the official Democratic nominee for president for 102 days without holding an official press conference. While Trump has had multiple news conferences where he answered questions from the media since August, Harris has only done informal press gaggles while on the campaign trail. This week, she criticized the tone and rhetoric at Trump’s rally in New York City. Harris gave a speech in Washington, D.C., outlining her vision for the United States and highlighting the differences between her and Trump.
Recently, Harris has been more active in interviews, appearing on Fox News, CNN, NBC News, Telemundo, CBS, as well as various podcasts and local news stations. Despite this, she has yet to schedule a formal press conference as a candidate. According to Conservative Radio Libre host Jorge Bonilla, Harris should hold a press conference, but the media’s leniency towards her actions makes it almost irrelevant. Bonilla believes that Harris has been shielded from tough questions and remains inaccessible to the press.
While Trump has skipped some interviews, he did attend the annual Al Smith dinner, where presidential candidates traditionally participate in lighthearted roasts. Harris, on the other hand, chose not to attend and instead sent a video message. Additionally, Harris’s interview on “60 Minutes” this month sparked controversy due to the show’s editing choices regarding her answer about Israel.
Overall, Harris’s avoidance of a formal press conference raises questions about her accessibility and accountability to the public and the media. Despite increasing her media appearances in recent weeks, the absence of a press conference leaves some wondering about her transparency as a candidate. As the presidential campaign continues, the pressure for Harris to address the media directly through a formal press conference may intensify.
