Vice President Kamala Harris has been in the spotlight for going 89 days without holding a formal press conference since becoming the official Democratic nominee for president. In comparison, former President Trump has had six news conferences where he answered questions from the media since August. President Biden also had a news conference earlier this month where he joked about running for the 2024 race.
While Harris did break her streak of not appearing on Fox News by sitting down for an interview with chief political anchor Bret Baier, she has been increasing her interviews in recent weeks. This includes radio hits, a solo interview with a Philadelphia TV station, and appearances on shows like “The View,” Stephen Colbert, and Howard Stern. Despite being active in interviews, Harris has not committed to a formal press conference as a candidate.
Conservative Radio Libre host Jorge Bonilla believes Harris should hold a press conference, but he feels it is almost irrelevant since she continues to avoid tough questions. Bonilla mentioned that the media have enabled Harris to maintain the illusion of being accessible without actually being accountable to the press.
Former President Trump has skipped some potential interviews recently, but he did attend the annual Al Smith dinner where presidential candidates traditionally do light-hearted roasts. Harris chose not to attend and instead sent a video message. During her Fox News interview, Harris avoided questions about President Biden’s mental decline.
Barbara Walters, according to an author, would expect Harris to engage in more interviews as it is part of the job of being president. In her recent interviews, Harris spoke about growing up in a neighborhood where people took pride in their lawns and emphasized the importance of dignity for all individuals. She also highlighted the need for an opportunity economy to support the ambitions and aspirations of the American people.
As the discussion around Harris’s lack of formal press conferences continues, it remains to be seen if she will address this issue in the future. The media attention on her approach to interviews and press conferences reflects the public’s interest in transparency and accountability from political leaders. Harris’s communication strategy and engagement with the media will likely be closely watched as she navigates her role as Vice President.