Vice President Kamala Harris has recently come under fire following her participation in a pre-recorded interview on CNN, which included Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

In response to the backlash, the Harris campaign has promised that the Democratic Party candidate will submit to a solo interview on CNN as she continues to pursue the White House, though the specific date remains unknown, as Breitbart reports.

The campaign made this announcement on Thursday, aiming to quell the rising concerns regarding Harris's perceived reluctance to engage in unscripted and unedited media interactions.

Critics Question Harris’s Media Strategy

Critics have been quick to suggest that Harris's decision to bring Walz into the interview was a strategic move designed to minimize her speaking time during the one-hour session.

This theory has been supported by conservative commentators who argue that the inclusion of Walz was intended to shield Harris from potential gaffes that could arise during an unscripted interaction.

Further fueling the controversy, some commentators have raised concerns that CNN may have edited the pre-taped interview to remove any missteps by Harris.

This accusation plays into a broader narrative held by some on the right, who believe that CNN exhibits bias in its coverage, particularly in its treatment of former President Donald Trump.

Call for Unedited Interview Release Grows

Among those calling for transparency is communications expert Steve Guest, who has publicly demanded that the full, unedited version of the interview be released. Guest's position reflects a broader demand for unfiltered access to the vice president's statements, especially given the ongoing criticisms of her media appearances.

Adding to the chorus of criticism, the popular conservative X handle "catturd2" mocked Harris, suggesting that she needed "backup" even in an edited interview. This sentiment echoes the broader skepticism surrounding Harris's ability to handle high-pressure, unscripted media engagements.

Historical Context and Campaign’s Defense

In defending Harris's decision, her campaign has pointed to the historical precedent of joint interviews conducted by major party presidential tickets since 2004. The campaign has stressed that such arrangements are not uncommon and that Harris will continue to engage with the media throughout her campaign.

A senior campaign official has also affirmed that Harris will participate in solo interviews over the course of her campaign, aiming to reassure both her supporters and critics of her willingness to engage directly with the press.

Lack of Recent Unscripted Appearances Raises Questions

Despite these assurances, Harris's recent track record with the media has raised questions. Notably, she has not held an unscripted press conference, sit-down, or non-pre-recorded interview regarding policy solutions for the past 39 days since joining the race. Furthermore, her last reported solo news conference took place on Dec. 2, 2023, which was over eight months ago.

The media's last televised interview with Harris occurred on June 24, 2024. Since then, her public appearances have been limited, with several unscripted remarks from the vice president being labeled as "word salads" by critics.

Harris’s Gaffes Under Scrutiny

Among the unscripted comments that have drawn attention, Harris's discussion about the "duality to the nature of democracy" has been frequently cited as a confusing statement.

Additionally, her use of the term "return on investment" to justify taxpayer spending has been criticized as an inappropriate analogy.

One of the more memorable gaffes occurred during a speech to a Pennsylvania football team, in which Harris delivered a motivational statement that many found to be incongruent with the context of the event.

Conclusion: Harris Promises More Media Engagement

As the 2024 campaign season continues, the pressure on Vice President Harris to engage more openly and directly with the media is likely to intensify.

In response to the backlash over her pre-recorded interview with CNN, the Harris campaign has promised a solo interview, though the specifics remain undisclosed. This promise comes amid broader concerns about her media strategy and ability to navigate unscripted interactions.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Harris can address these criticisms and demonstrate her readiness to handle the pressures of the campaign trail. With the promise of more solo interviews on the horizon, both her supporters and detractors will be watching closely to see how she handles future media engagements.