Vice President Kamala Harris has not held a formal press conference or sit-down interview in the weeks since emerging as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, painting a stark contrast with her opponent, Donald Trump, who has held multiple press conferences at which he has entertained media questions.

Harris has actively participated in the campaign trail, even outlining an economic plan admittedly designed to distance herself somewhat from the record of Joe Biden, yet she has avoided formal interviews, leading to comparisons with Trump’s media strategy, as Fox News reports.

Trump, who recently held his second press conference in a week, has taken a different approach, answering numerous questions and participating in high-profile interviews.

Harris's reluctance to engage in formal press interactions has not gone unnoticed. Despite replacing President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket last month, she has yet to sit down for a formal interview. Requests for interviews from major outlets such as TIME and the New York Times have been declined.

Criticism of Harris's Media Strategy Grows

Trump’s willingness to engage with the media stands in stark contrast to Harris’s approach. Since Aug. 6, the former president has answered 81 questions during press conferences and interviews, including a two-hour session with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Harris, on the other hand, has limited her interactions to brief "gaggles" and off-the-record sessions with reporters.

The Washington Post editorial board criticized Harris on Sunday for dodging the media, pointing out that while Trump may be controversial, "at least he has taken questions." Similarly, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) accused Harris of avoiding difficult questions due to what he described as an "indefensible" record.

On Tuesday, CNN’s John Berman questioned Harris's spokeswoman, Adrienne Elrod, about the vice president’s limited media availability.

Elrod faced additional pressure the following day from CNN anchor Jim Acosta, who asked Harris's communications director, Michael Tyler, whether "it would kill" the campaign to hold a formal press conference.

Harris Campaign Promises Future Media Engagement

In response to these criticisms, Tyler reiterated Harris's commitment to engage with the public, stating, "We will commit to directly engage with the voters who are actually going to decide this election." He added that this commitment would include rallies, sit-down interviews, and press conferences, though no specific dates were provided.

The issue of media engagement has also been addressed by other political figures. GOP vice-presidential candidate JD Vance urged Harris to interact more with the press, noting his own interviews with CNN, CBS, and ABC on August 11. Trump himself criticized Harris during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago last week, questioning her capability to handle a press conference.

Former Clinton aide Paul Begala dismissed concerns about Harris's media strategy, asking, "Who cares?"

Meanwhile, Michael McFaul, a former Obama administration ambassador to Russia, supported Harris’s approach, arguing that her primary objective should be to win the election. McFaul’s current stance contrasts with a tweet he posted five years ago, in which he emphasized the importance of transparency in politics.

Debate Over Media Strategy Continues

Tim Graham, executive editor of NewsBusters, expressed skepticism about Harris’s approach, stating that the vice president should "absolutely hold a press conference" before announcing her vice-presidential pick. He suggested that Harris might be avoiding the press due to a lack of confidence in her ability to communicate effectively.

The Harris campaign has defended its media strategy, asserting that the vice president’s top priority is "earning the support of the voters who will decide this election." A campaign spokesperson criticized Trump’s approach, describing it as a "losing, ineffective strategy" characterized by "rage-posting" and "accosting reporters."

The spokesperson also challenged Trump to be more active on the campaign trail, suggesting that his focus on media engagement might detract from his ability to connect with voters. The campaign emphasized that its strategy includes a range of tactics, from digital outreach to on-the-ground organizing, aimed at reaching voters where they are most engaged.

Conclusion

As the election draws nearer, the debate over Kamala Harris's media strategy continues to intensify.

While critics argue that her avoidance of formal press interactions raises concerns about transparency, her campaign maintains that its focus is on direct voter engagement.

With promises of future press conferences and interviews, the question remains whether Harris will alter her approach in the critical weeks ahead.