US Election 2024: Kamala Harris prepares for Fox News debut: What topics will be on the table?

With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris is intensifying her media engagements, including a significant interview with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier. This interview is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state where Harris currently leads former President Donald Trump by two points, according to the latest analysis from The Washington Post.

Interview Details
Harris's interview with Baier is set to air on "Special Report" at 6 p.m. ET, following a campaign event in Bucks County, an essential swing area in Philadelphia's northern suburbs. The interview is expected to last approximately 25-30 minutes, with Baier stating, “We are going to run it uninterrupted, unedited, all the way.” This appearance marks a significant moment for Harris, as it will be her first formal interview on Fox News since she became the Democratic nominee.

Bret Baier noted the significance of the platform, mentioning, “We have a lot of eyeballs. We have Democrats, independents, and Republicans. We have the biggest cable news audience.” His show, "Special Report," is among the most-watched programs on cable news and includes a segment called Common Ground, which features political leaders from both sides discussing current issues to find compromises.

Media Strategy Shift
Since taking the top spot on the Democratic ticket in mid-July, Harris has largely avoided media interviews, conducting her first formal sit-down with CNN only in late August. However, in recent weeks, she has ramped up her media appearances, including interviews on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” ABC’s “The View,” and shows hosted by late-night figures like Stephen Colbert and radio personality Howard Stern. Most of these interviews were perceived as friendly, but her engagement with Baier on Fox News suggests she is open to facing tougher questions.

Democratic strategist Chris Moyer commented on the significance of the interview, stating, “She knows there are going to be hard questions. She can handle those. Going through that process and handling that, you’re kind of going behind enemy lines a little bit.” He argued that performing well in this setting could provide a much-needed boost for the campaign and reassure voters about Harris's capabilities in challenging situations.

Context of the Interview
Harris becomes the first Democratic presidential nominee in eight years to sit for an interview on Fox News; the last was Hillary Clinton in 2016 when she spoke with Chris Wallace. In the lead-up to this interview, several prominent Democrats, including Governors Gavin Newsom of California and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, have made appearances on Fox, reflecting a strategic push by the Democratic Party to engage voters across the political spectrum.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, also participated in interviews on Fox News Sunday in recent weeks, stating, “Folks deserve to hear where we stand on this. Vice President Harris and I have an agenda for... a new way forward, a manufacturing agenda.” His outreach highlights the campaign’s efforts to connect with undecided voters.

Trump’s Reaction
Trump responded to the announcement of Harris's interview by criticizing both Baier and Fox News on social media. He remarked that Harris “has wisely chosen” Baier, whom he referred to as being “considered to be ‘Fair & Balanced,’” while accusing the anchor of being “very soft” on people on the left. He added, “I would have preferred seeing a more hard-hitting journalist, but Fox has grown so weak and soft on the Democrats.”

On the same day as Harris’s scheduled interview, Trump will also appear in a pre-taped hour-long town hall on Fox News, where he is expected to repeat various claims that have been questioned by fact-checkers.

As Election Day approaches, Harris's decision to engage in a formal interview on Fox News illustrates her campaign’s strategy to connect with a wider audience and address crucial voter concerns. This pivotal moment may play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions as both candidates prepare for the final stretch of the campaign.