Former President Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for allegedly shifting her policy positions during the election cycle, following comments from Sen. Bernie Sanders about Harris's pragmatism.

Trump and his campaign accused the VP of being deceptive and suggested that recent comments from Sen. Bernie Sanders confirmed as much, while Harris' campaign insisted that hers is simply pragmatic approach aimed at achieving bipartisan solutions, as Fox News reports.

Trump Criticizes Harris' Tactics

Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to mock Vice President Kamala Harris after Sen. Bernie Sanders commented on her strategy for the upcoming election. This controversy arose following Sanders’ interview on NBC's Meet the Press with anchor Kristen Welker.

During the interview, Sanders was asked if Harris had abandoned her far-left policy positions. Sanders responded, "No, I don’t think she’s abandoning her ideals. I think she’s trying to be pragmatic and doing what she thinks is right in order to win the election."

Soon after, Trump criticized Harris on Truth Social. He posted that Sanders had revealed Harris's intention of reverting to her "Marxist policy positions" after the election.

Trump Labels Harris a "Total Phony"

Trump accused Harris of being a "total phony," suggesting that her current policy shifts were insincere. He disparaged her motives, claiming that she would revert to her previous positions if elected. Trump's remarks further amplified the tension between him and the current administration.

The Harris campaign did not provide a comment to Fox News Digital regarding Trump's accusations. A spokesperson for Harris emphasized her pragmatic approach to governance, aiming to achieve bipartisan solutions on key issues such as infrastructure and gun violence prevention.

The spokesperson, Mia Ehrenberg, stated, "While Donald Trump is wedded to the extreme ideas in his Project 2025 agenda, Vice President Harris believes real leadership means bringing all sides together to build consensus. It is that approach that made it possible for the Biden-Harris administration to achieve bipartisan breakthroughs on everything from infrastructure to gun violence prevention. As president, she will take that same pragmatic approach, focusing on common-sense solutions for the sake of progress."

Leavitt Weighs Iin

Karoline Leavitt, Trump 2024 national press secretary, also weighed in on the discourse. Leavitt accused Harris of misleading the public about her policy shifts. She claimed that Sanders’ remarks revealed Harris’s true intentions.

"Senator Sanders is saying what the Harris campaign doesn't want the American people to know. And that is, Kamala Harris is a typical career politician who lies to get elected. She's trying to run away from her record over the past four years, but she can't, because it is the Harris-Biden administration," Leavitt told Fox News.

She further added that Harris would be held accountable for the perceived failures of her tenure. Trump, according to Leavitt, plans to confront Harris on issues related to immigration, inflation, and crime during the upcoming ABC News Presidential Debate.

Sanders' Role and Remarks

Sanders' role in this controversy emerged from his comments on Harris's political strategy. His intention appeared to clarify that Harris was not abandoning her progressive ideals but rather adopting a pragmatic approach to win the election.

His remarks, however, were interpreted by Trump and his allies as an admission of Harris’ alleged duplicity. Sanders himself did not directly engage with the ensuing controversy but remained focused on promoting policy pragmatism.

Trump seized on these comments, using them to underscore his long-standing critique of Harris and the broader Biden administration. His use of social media to amplify this message reflects his continued influence on the public discourse.

Debate Anticipation Builds

As the political landscape heats up, anticipation is building for the upcoming ABC News presidential debate. Trump’s camp has indicated that he will focus on holding Harris accountable for what they view as the failures of the current administration.

This includes addressing key issues such as immigration policy, economic inflation, and crime rates. Harris’s campaign, on the other hand, is likely to emphasize her achievements and the administration’s efforts at fostering bipartisan cooperation.

The debate will serve as a critical platform for both sides to present their cases to the American public. It will also provide an opportunity for Harris to directly address the accusations leveled against her by Trump and his campaign.

Public and Media Reactions

The media and public have closely followed the evolving narrative. Commentary spans a broad spectrum, with some viewing Trump’s remarks as a strategic move and others critiquing Harris for perceived inconsistencies.

The interplay between personality politics and policy discussion has become a focal point in this election cycle. This dynamic continues to shape voter perceptions and campaign strategies on both sides of the political aisle.

As campaigns ramp up their efforts, the scrutiny on candidates' past records and future promises remains intense. Each move and statement are carefully analyzed for indications of authenticity and strategy.