Former President Donald Trump has launched a scathing critique of Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of dodging press interactions for nearly a month.

Speaking to supporters at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Trump drew parallels between Harris’s media absence and President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign strategy of operating from his basement amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as Breitbart reports.

During his speech, Trump emphasized that Harris has not given an unscripted interview with the media in the last 27 days. He suggested that this deliberate avoidance might be linked to her history of laughing during interviews, a behavior he mocked extensively during his address.

Trump Mocks Harris's Interview Style

Trump criticized Harris's tendency to laugh during interviews, a habit that has drawn widespread attention and, at times, criticism. “She has been prohibited from laughing, you know, she used to do an interview, she’d go, ‘Ha, ha, ha, ha,’” Trump quipped, mimicking Harris’s laughter. He went on to question the appropriateness of her reactions during serious discussions.

“Who the hell laughs at an interview like that? You know I’m interviewed all the time. I may smile. I’m either asking you questions about things…it’s not like a comedy club,” Trump said, contrasting his own interview style with Harris’s.

The former president continued his critique by suggesting that Harris’s reluctance to engage with the press might stem from her discomfort with the interview process itself.

“That’s one of the reasons she refuses to do interviews, I think, because she laughs,” Trump stated, speculating on the reasons behind her extended media absence.

Trump Highlights the Importance of Media Interaction

Throughout his speech, Trump underscored the importance of regular interaction with the media for public officials, particularly those in high office.

He pointed out that Harris’s last television interview took place on June 24, 2024, and noted that she had not answered questions during a solo press conference since Dec. 2, 2023.

Trump stressed that, as the sitting vice president and a current candidate for president, Harris has an obligation to be accessible to the press and, by extension, to the public.

“Don’t you sort of have an obligation, you know, you’re running,” he remarked, emphasizing the expectations of transparency and accountability that come with holding such a significant position.

Comparisons to Biden’s 2020 Campaign

Trump did not stop at criticizing Harris’s recent behavior; he also revisited Biden’s 2020 campaign strategy, which he claimed was characterized by the former president's decision to largely remain in his basement during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump argued that Biden’s approach, while initially justified by the pandemic, was ultimately detrimental and questioned whether Harris might be attempting a similar strategy for different reasons.

“They’re going to try, ‘This is her form of the basement,’” Trump suggested, drawing a direct line between Harris’s avoidance of the press and Biden’s previous campaign tactics. He further noted that Biden contracted COVID-19 despite his cautious approach during the 2020 campaign.

Trump’s Frequent Media Engagements

In contrast to Harris’s avoidance, Trump highlighted his own willingness to engage with the media on a regular basis. “No, it’s so horrible. You know, she hasn’t done an interview, like, in 30 days or something like that, and I do one every day,” Trump claimed, positioning himself as a more accessible and transparent leader in comparison to the current administration.

The former president’s remarks reflect a broader strategy of positioning himself as a more media-savvy and communicative figure, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.

Conclusion

In his speech in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for avoiding press interactions, comparing her behavior to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign strategy of staying in his basement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump mocked Harris’s tendency to laugh during interviews, suggesting that it might be the reason behind her reluctance to engage with the media.

He emphasized the importance of regular media interaction for public officials, highlighting his own frequent press engagements as a contrast to Harris’s absence.

Trump’s comments are part of a broader narrative as he continues to position himself as a transparent and accessible leader in comparison to the current administration.