Vice President Kamala Harris has not held a press conference or given any formal interviews since becoming the Democratic nominee for President, prompting questions from reporters and political opponents.
CNN's Jim Acosta grilled the Harris-Walz campaign communications director, Michael Tyler, on Wednesday about Vice President Harris's avoidance of formal press engagements. Acosta pressed, "Would it kill you guys to have a press conference? Why hasn't she had a press conference?"
Harris has refrained from any formal interviews or press conferences for 24 days since President Biden withdrew from the race, sparking criticism from opponents and media outlets. Despite this, Tyler claimed Harris and her running mate Tim Walz have been occupied with campaign rallies across the nation.
Kamala Harris Dodges Media Scrutiny Amid Presidential Campaign
"Michael, you know a campaign really isn't really a press conference," Acosta countered. "Why hasn't she had a press conference? She's the vice president, she can handle the questions, why not do it?"
Tyler insisted Harris would eventually participate in formal interviews and press conferences, vowing an interview before the end of August. However, Acosta remained unconvinced, stating, "One interview before the end of the month is 'not a lot'." He pressed for a commitment on a press conference by the end of the month.
Kamala Harris Dodges Media Scrutiny Amid Presidential Campaign
"We will commit to directly engage with the voters who are actually going to decide this election," Tyler responded evasively. "And that is going to be complete with rallies, with sit-down interviews, with press conferences, with all the digital assets that we have at our disposal."
CNN's John Berman also questioned Harris's lack of media presence, suggesting she had time for an interview on Tuesday, as her campaign schedule was free. Harris campaign spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod maintained that Harris and Walz were focusing on direct voter outreach.
Kamala Harris Dodges Media Scrutiny Amid Presidential Campaign
Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance have held press conferences and given interviews, highlighting the contrast in media engagement between the two campaigns.
As the race for the presidency heats up, questions over Harris's avoidance of media scrutiny are likely to persist, raising concerns about transparency and accountability for potential voters.
