Vice President Kamala Harris has come under fire for avoiding multiple interview requests from Time magazine during her campaign as the Democratic presidential candidate. Marc Benioff, the owner of Time and a longtime Democratic donor, voiced his disappointment on social media on October 13, 2024. He noted that Harris has been less forthcoming with major media outlets than her political rivals, sparking concerns over her transparency.
Harris, who assumed leadership of the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden stepped down from his re-election bid in July, has faced mounting pressure to engage with the press. While Time has successfully interviewed Biden and former President Donald Trump during this election cycle, Harris has repeatedly declined similar opportunities. Unlike other candidates, Benioff publicly questioned why Harris has been reluctant to sit down for a substantial interview.
This refusal comes as Harris embarks on a carefully curated media tour that favors appearances on entertainment-oriented platforms. Recently, she has participated in interviews with shows like Call Her Daddy and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert but has opted out of more traditional, policy-focused interviews with legacy outlets such as Time.
Although Harris’s media strategy has been scrutinized, it reflects her campaign’s effort to reach a diverse audience. She has targeted a younger, more culturally engaged demographic by appearing on popular podcasts and talk shows.
Adding to the situation’s complexity is that Time has traditionally been viewed as a liberal-leaning publication, making Harris’ refusal to engage with the magazine all the more surprising. Time has long been praised for its in-depth political profiles and has earned accolades for its critical coverage of Trump during his presidency. Harris would have much to gain from such an interview.
Harris’ avoidance of more traditional media outlets has drawn comparisons to Trump, who similarly faced backlash for sticking to right-wing networks and sympathetic interviewers. Both candidates have been criticized for avoiding more confrontational interviews. However, Trump did engage with Time in a two-part, 90-minute conversation about his policy vision, making Harris’ refusal all the more conspicuous.
As the election nears, Harris’ media strategy has become a focal point of her campaign. Critics argue that her avoidance of press conferences and substantive interviews could alienate undecided voters looking for clear policy direction.
In response to the criticism, in the final stretch of the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, Harris has launched an intensive series of interviews and media appearances to connect with a wider audience and bolster her presence on the national stage. The Democratic candidate is now attempting to change that narrative by stepping into diverse and sometimes unconventional platforms.
In recent weeks, Harris has appeared on a wide range of programs, including “The Howard Stern Show,” “60 Minutes” on CBS, and “The View” on ABC. These appearances are aimed at addressing concerns about her media engagement and to counteract negative comparisons to her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump. Harris’ team hopes these interviews will help her connect with undecided voters, particularly those in key swing states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan.
The media blitz is part of a broader strategy to address both policy and personal topics, appealing to different segments of the electorate. In interviews, Harris discussed issues like inflation, the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel, and her stance on immigration. She has aligned herself closely with current President Joe Biden, stating that she supports his policies and would not have made any different decisions during his tenure.
In an effort to expand her outreach, Harris has taken the unconventional step of appearing on platforms with younger and more diverse audiences. This is a marked shift from her earlier preference for mainstream media outlets like ABC, CBS, and MSNBC.
Additionally, Harris will sit down for an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, making it her first interview with a conservative news outlet during the campaign. The decision to engage with Fox News is seen as a calculated risk, as it offers Harris an opportunity to address conservative-leaning viewers who may have negative perceptions of her. Her team hopes that this interview will provide a contrast to Trump’s avoidance of interviews with non-conservative media.
Polls suggest that the race between Harris and Trump is tight, with Harris holding a slight edge at 48.6% to Trump’s 45.9% nationally . As the campaign enters its final weeks, media analysts have noted that Harris’s media blitz could prove to be a turning point, especially if she can win over undecided voters and solidify her base’s support.
