Kamala Harris Faces Heated Fox News Interview Ahead of Election \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ In a combative Fox News interview, Vice President Kamala Harris sparred with anchor Bret Baier over immigration and policy shifts, asserting that her presidency would not mirror Joe Biden’s. The interview aimed to broaden her appeal to conservative viewers, with Harris defending her stance on key issues and distancing herself from Trump’s rhetoric.
Kamala Harris Fox News Interview Quick Looks
- Kamala Harris engaged in a heated interview on Fox News, sparring with Bret Baier on various topics, especially immigration and her political stance.
- The interview marked Harris’ first appearance on the conservative network, aiming to reach GOP-leaning voters ahead of the upcoming election.
- Harris emphasized that, if elected, her presidency would not be a direct continuation of Joe Biden’s administration, highlighting her vision for new ideas.
- She expressed regret over past border policies but blamed Trump for obstructing bipartisan immigration reform that could have addressed funding and security.
- Harris also shifted from previous positions, clarifying that she no longer supports decriminalizing illegal border crossings, following the law instead.
- The discussion often turned to Donald Trump, with Harris criticizing his leadership style, calling it divisive and unstable.
- Baier challenged her on various topics, including Biden’s exit from the presidential race, prompting Harris to focus on the present, emphasizing Trump’s return to the ballot.
- The interview was seen as an attempt to showcase Harris’ toughness and appeal to moderate and Republican voters open to considering her candidacy.
Deep Look:
Vice President Kamala Harris entered a contentious dialogue with Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Wednesday, marking her first appearance on the conservative network. During the nearly 30-minute exchange, Harris sought to broaden her reach to Republican-leaning voters as the election nears, while also distancing herself from the policies of President Joe Biden. She emphasized that her presidency would not be a mere extension of Biden’s administration, highlighting her intent to bring fresh perspectives to the office.
Throughout the interview, tensions flared as Baier and Harris frequently spoke over each other, particularly on sensitive topics like immigration. At one point, Harris firmly requested, “May I please finish? … You have to let me finish, please,” as she struggled to get her points across amid interruptions.
Harris used the platform to pivot discussions towards attacking Donald Trump, whom she portrayed as a destabilizing force in American politics. However, she also made sure to delineate her own stance on issues, asserting, “My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency.” Although she did not elaborate on specific differences, Harris stressed that, like any new president, she would bring her unique life and professional experiences to the role, along with fresh ideas.
When asked to clarify her intentions to “turn the page” while the Democrats still hold the White House, Harris explained that her campaign focuses on moving beyond the divisive rhetoric of the last decade, much of which she attributed to Donald Trump. “We have been burdened with the kind of rhetoric coming from Donald Trump,” she said, framing her run as an opportunity to steer away from his influence.
On the topic of immigration, Harris expressed her condolences over the deaths of women who were harmed by individuals who entered the U.S. illegally and were subsequently released during the Biden administration. However, she pointed a finger at Trump, blaming him for blocking a bipartisan immigration bill earlier this year, which she said would have increased border funding and security. Responding to a clip of Jocelyn Nungaray’s mother blaming her and Biden for the death of her daughter, Harris said, “I am so sorry for her loss, sincerely,” underscoring the tragic outcomes of the complex issue.
Notably, Harris walked back from some of her previous positions. In 2019, she had advocated for the decriminalization of illegal border crossings. During the interview, however, she made it clear that her views had shifted. “That was five years ago, and I am very clear that I will follow the law,” she stated, underscoring her adherence to current legal frameworks. Similarly, she took a more conservative stance on providing driver’s licenses and subsidized healthcare to undocumented immigrants, signaling a departure from her earlier, more progressive policies.
Harris didn’t shy away from criticizing Donald Trump directly. She accused him of dividing the nation, asserting, “People are exhausted with someone who professes to be a leader and who spends full time demeaning and engaging in personal grievances.” She added that Trump’s rhetoric was harmful, describing him as “not stable.” In the interview, she also expressed concern over Trump’s use of terms like “the enemy within” and his threats to punish political rivals, suggesting that his approach stokes fear and instability.
Baier pressed Harris on her defense of Biden’s capabilities, especially after Biden’s poor performance in a debate with Trump in June, which led to his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and Harris’ elevation to the top of the Democratic ticket. While she stood by Biden’s leadership, she reminded viewers, “Joe Biden is not on the ballot and Donald Trump is,” making it clear that her campaign was about moving forward and addressing the current political landscape.
Following the interview, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, criticized Harris’ performance, labeling her as “angry, defensive, and once again abdicating responsibility for the problems Americans are facing.” Leavitt questioned Harris’ ability to handle the pressures of the presidency, saying, “If Kamala can’t handle the pressure of an interview with Fox News, she certainly can’t handle the pressure of being president of the United States.”
During the interview, Harris pushed back against Baier’s persistent questioning, stating, “I would like if we could have a conversation that is grounded in a full assessment of the facts.” Her response suggested that she felt the discussion was leaning towards oversimplifications rather than a nuanced exploration of the issues.
Harris’ campaign team defended her appearance on Fox, seeing it as a success in reaching out to a broader audience. Brian Fallon, her spokesperson, noted that the campaign had achieved its goals. “She was able to reach an audience that has probably been not exposed to the arguments she’s been making on the trail, and she also got to show her toughness in standing tall against a hostile interviewer,” Fallon said. He highlighted that the appearance was part of a broader strategy to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents.
Fallon also pointed out that Harris’ willingness to engage with Fox News could resonate with voters who may have felt alienated by the political polarization of recent years. “I think there’s a good number of independents and Haley-style Republicans who are very open to voting for Vice President Harris, and that’s why we are open to doing events with Republicans and on Fox News,” he added, referring to Nikki Haley, a former Trump challenger who has appealed to more centrist GOP voters.
Kamala Harris Faces Heated Kamala Harris Faces Heated
