US Vice President Kamala Harris has been criticized for her minimal media presence since announcing her presidential campaign. In the past two months, she and running mate Tim Walz have given a total of seven sit-down interviews, whereas former President Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance have conducted 70 interviews and press conferences. A tally compiled by Axios highlights this significant difference in media engagement between Harris and Trump.
Harris’ campaign adviser, Keisha Lance-Bottoms, defended the vice president’s strategy of avoiding the press, stating that “she’s a very busy person” due to her role as both the vice president and a candidate. However, this reluctance to engage with the media has led to criticism from liberal pundits as well. The New York Times has questioned Harris’ avoidance of unscripted appearances, while CNN commentator Scott Jennings criticized her for deliberately avoiding “hostile media.
Despite these criticisms, Harris’ campaign insists that limiting interactions with the press is a strategic decision aimed at keeping her message focused and effective. A recent New York Times/Siena poll reveals that 31% of voters feel they don’t know enough about Harris, while only 12% remain unsure about Trump’s stance on key issues. As the campaign unfolds, it will be interesting to see whether this media strategy proves beneficial for Kamala Harris and her bid for the presidency.