Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has publicly criticized Democratic Party presidential nominee Kamala Harris for the approach she took during her Thursday interview with CNN, raising concerns about her ability to stand on her own without the support of her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Cruz took issue with Harris’s decision to have Walz present during the interview with an exceedingly friendly outlet, calling it a troubling indication of her weakness as a candidate, as the Daily Wire reports.

During an episode of his Verdict podcast this week, Cruz expressed his disbelief at the situation. He described the interview as a piece of "propaganda" rather than a genuine journalistic endeavor. According to Cruz, the presence of Walz during the interview was a clear sign that Harris was unable to handle the conversation on her own.

Criticism of CNN’s Dana Bash

The interview was hosted by CNN’s Dana Bash, a journalist whom Cruz criticized for her perceived partisanship. Cruz suggested that Bash was acting not as a journalist, but as a supporter of Harris.

He highlighted his concerns by questioning the role of a vice-presidential candidate in what was supposed to be an individual interview with the presidential nominee.

Cruz, who is 53 years old, found it particularly unusual for a presidential candidate to rely on their running mate in this manner. “It is astonishing that the interview is not Kamala Harris, but it’s Kamala Harris and Tim Walz,” Cruz remarked. He suggested that Walz was there to "bail her out" in case Harris faced difficulties during the interview.

Concerns Over Interview Taping and Editing

Another major point of concern for Cruz was CNN’s decision to pre-tape the interview rather than air it live. He expressed skepticism about the network’s intentions, speculating that the interview would be heavily edited to remove any gaffes or unfavorable moments for Harris. “They’re going to pre-tape it, and then CNN is going to edit it,” Cruz predicted during his podcast.

Cruz voiced the belief that many Americans share his concern that the interview would be manipulated to present Harris in the best possible light, regardless of what actually transpired during the conversation. This, he argued, further undermines the integrity of the interview process and the role of the media in holding public figures accountable.

Cruz's Expectations for Dana Bash

Cruz did not stop at criticizing the format and the decision to include Walz in the interview. He also directed his critique towards Dana Bash, emphasizing that she needed to act as a “real journalist” during the interview.

The senator warned that if Bash failed to conduct the interview with journalistic integrity, she would be seen as nothing more than “a laughingstock,” “a patsy,” or even “a total stooge” for the Harris campaign.

This harsh rhetoric underscores Cruz’s deep concerns about the way the media is handling the coverage of the presidential campaign. He argued that if journalists do not maintain their independence, the public’s trust in the media could be further eroded.

Broader Implications for the Media

Cruz’s comments reflect a broader anxiety among some conservatives about what they perceive as bias in the mainstream media. The senator’s critique of Bash and CNN is part of a larger narrative that questions the objectivity and fairness of major news outlets.

For Cruz, the interview with Harris was emblematic of a media landscape that he believes is increasingly aligned with certain political agendas rather than committed to impartial reporting. His concerns about the potential editing of the interview suggest a fear that media coverage is more about shaping narratives than reporting facts.

Cruz's Broader Concerns About Harris

Beyond his criticisms of CNN and Dana Bash, Cruz’s comments also highlight his broader concerns about Kamala Harris as a candidate. By focusing on her decision to involve Tim Walz in the interview, Cruz is questioning her capability and independence as a leader.

He framed Harris’s reliance on Walz as an unprecedented move for a presidential candidate, particularly one aiming to hold the highest office in the land. Cruz’s remarks suggest that he views this as a serious weakness that could have implications for Harris’s ability to govern effectively.

Conclusion: Cruz's Ongoing Critique of Media and Harris

Sen. Ted Cruz’s critique of Kamala Harris’s CNN interview with Dana Bash reflects his broader concerns about media bias and the perceived weaknesses of the Democratic presidential nominee.

His comments on the Verdict podcast this week focused on Harris’s decision to have her running mate, Tim Walz, present during the interview and CNN’s choice to pre-tape and edit the conversation.

Cruz’s warnings about the integrity of the interview process and his call for Bash to act as a “real journalist” underline his fears about the direction of media coverage in the current political climate.