Former President Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vancehave given at least 42 interviews since the Harris-Waltz ticket was formed, compared with just seven unscheduled interviews for Democratic candidates so far.
Vance gave interviews to CNN, Fox News and ABC following Tuesday's ABC News presidential debate between Trump and Kamala Harris, while Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gave an interview to MSNBC, just his fourth since joining the Democratic Party last month.
USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page says Americans deserve to hear both candidates answer tough questions.
“I think part of the president's job is to answer questions, not because reporters have a right to ask them, but because the American people have a right to hear them,” Page said. Fox News Digital.
“One of the main ways we do that is through interviews and press conferences. And anyone who is running for president, I think, should expect to be giving interviews and holding press conferences, although they can also hold public meetings and other events where they have the opportunity to talk to the American people,” she continued. “You need to communicate and connect and answer voters’ questions if you expect them to vote for you, and if you expect them to follow you when you govern.”
Former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, have different media strategies than Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz. (Getty Images)
Harris and Walz ended their long drought in an interview last month when they spoke to Dana Bash of CNN in Georgia after weeks of media blackouts. The widely publicized interview marked the first time Harris had met with a reporter since she picked Walz on Aug. 6.
Last week, Harris recorded two radio interviews with Uforia, the TelevisaUnivision audio network, and Rickey Smiley, host of the nationally syndicated “The Rickey Smiley Show.” The Uforia interview aired Friday, while the Smiley interview was delayed until Monday because of what the campaign reportedly called “technical difficulties.”
Last week, Walz also appeared on WCMU radio in Michigan, as well as on “The Morning News with Nancy Kman and Jason Barsky” on WILK radio in Pennsylvania and “The Chad Holmes Show” on WXCO radio in Wisconsin.
From August 6 Trump said with Fox News' “Life, Liberty & Levin” host Mark Levin, NBC News, the Daily Mail, Dr. Phil, Fox News' Alicia Acuna, Hugh Hewitt Radio, FOX Business, podcaster Theo Vaughn, the New York Post, WBRE News Wilkes-Barre, WLOS News 13 Asheville, Univision, and “FOX & Friends” twice. He's also appeared on at least two other cable news networks and had a lengthy conversation with supporter Elon Musk, according to a Fox News Digital review.
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Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz speak to CNN on August 29, 2024. (CNN)
The former president also gave an interview to podcaster Lex Friedman, published Tuesday, and appeared on a New Hampshire radio show Wednesday before sitting down with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
Vance, who has criticized Harris's avoidance of the press, was interviewed during the same time period on “FOX & Friends,” CNN's John Berman, WBAY2, News 5 Cleveland, NBC News, “Meet the Press,” No Spin News, WALB 10, “CBS Evening News,” “The Brett Winterble Show,” “Jesse Watters Primetime,” “Fox News Sunday,” “The Dan O'Donnell Show,” ABC's “This Week,” CBS's “Face the Nation,” and CNN's “State of the Union.”
Vance also appeared on “The Ingraham Angle” from Fox News Last week I gave an interview to my supporter Charlie Kirk.
Former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, have given at least 39 interviews since the Harris-Walz list was formed, some with supporters. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Harris has yet to hold a formal press conference since replacing President Biden as the Democratic nominee, preferring quick “talks” lasting a few minutes and informal meetings with reporters on her campaign plane.
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This article has been updated with additional interviews with representatives from both companies.
Joseph A. Wolfson of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.