In a stark contrast to the Democratic ticket, former President Donald Trump has been actively engaging with the press, answering a minimum of 81 questions from reporters since Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz were announced as the Democratic contenders.
This is in comparison to the mere 14 questions Harris has taken, and the complete absence of Walz from the press interaction scene.
According to Fox News Digital, Harris has barely interacted with the press, with her only on-record questions being a casual query about debates from an MSNBC reporter and a couple of press gaggles in Michigan and Arizona. Despite her claim of intending to schedule a formal interview before the month's end, she has yet to do so. Her running mate, Walz, has been similarly absent from the media spotlight. In contrast, Trump's running mate, JD Vance, has been actively engaging with the press, fielding numerous questions in three national interviews and multiple press conferences during the same period.
Trump has been particularly active since August 6, when Walz was announced as Harris's running mate. The former President has taken dozens of questions during two extensive press conferences, a lengthy appearance on "FOX & Friends", and a two-hour discussion with supporter and business magnate Elon Musk. Trump alone answered at least 35 questions during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago last week, and an additional 16 during an event at Bedminster.
Trump's recent interactions have been marked by his focus on the economy. He has been highlighting the rising cost of everyday goods under the Biden-Harris administration, a concern that resonates with many Americans. During his conversation with Musk, Trump answered 16 direct questions, providing detailed responses that often extended beyond the original query. One notable moment was when Trump lauded Musk as the "greatest cutter", seemingly referring to Musk's significant layoffs following his acquisition of Twitter, now renamed X.
The disparity in press access between Trump and Harris is further emphasized when considering the time they've spent answering questions. Trump spent 28 minutes answering 14 questions on "FOX & Friends" on August 7, discussing a range of issues including Walz's selection as Harris's running mate, inflation, and social security. He also spent a combined 65 minutes speaking and answering questions during the Mar-a-Lago press conference, and approximately two hours conversing with Musk. In total, Trump has spent nearly five hours engaging with the press since August 6. In stark contrast, Harris has only spent about three minutes answering a mere 14 questions.
Harris's apparent evasion of the press has not gone unnoticed. CNN's Jim Acosta recently questioned a campaign spokesperson, asking if it would "kill you guys" to hold a press conference. Meanwhile, Vance has been vocal about Harris's lack of press engagement, urging the media to push her to answer challenging questions. Demonstrating his commitment to transparency, Vance recently appeared on ABCs "This Week," CBS "Face the Nation" and CNNs "State of the Union," none of which could be considered friendly environments.
Vance fielded a minimum of 16 questions from ABCs Jonathan Karl, 27 from CBS Margaret Brennan, and 20 from CNNs Dana Bash. These interviews also included numerous statements or remarks that werent necessarily questions, prompting Vance to share his thoughts on additional topics. Vance has also held press conferences or gaggles during stops in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
The Harris campaign, however, has remained silent, not responding to requests for comment. This lack of engagement raises questions about the Democratic ticket's commitment to transparency and their willingness to address the concerns of the American people.
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