U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris engaged in a heated exchange during her first interview with the pro-Trump Fox News. Vice President Harris clearly drew a line by stating that her presidential term is not an "extension of the Joe Biden administration," while launching an offensive against Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, calling him "unstable" and "a threat to America."
In the interview aired on the evening of the 16th (local time) with Fox News, Vice President Harris said, "My presidency is not an extension of Biden's term," adding, "Like every new president who takes office, I will bring my life experience, professional experience, and new ideas. I represent a new generation of leadership." She claimed, "Trump is an unstable and dangerous person," and "He will turn the page on rhetoric that divides America and causes Americans to point fingers at each other."
This was Vice President Harris's first official interview with the conservative, pro-Trump Fox News. With less than three weeks remaining until the November presidential election, she effectively jumped into the so-called "enemy territory" to capture the votes of conservative-leaning voters who do not support former President Trump.
The first question began with the issue of "illegal immigration," which the Trump camp has used as a weakness to launch attacks against Vice President Harris during this election phase. Vice President Harris blamed former President Trump, saying that although the Biden administration proposed legislation to improve the immigration system, Trump persuaded Republican lawmakers to reject bipartisan bills, "because they prefer causing problems rather than solving them."
Regarding her recent remarks that there would be no changes to the Biden administration's policies, she drew a clear line. Vice President Harris defined her presidential term as a "new generation of leadership" distinct from both President Biden and former President Trump. This is interpreted as a response to concerns that her administration, as the second-in-command of the Biden administration, might be the same regime. She then explained her economic pledges designed to benefit the middle class and small businesses, claiming, "Experts, including Nobel laureates, have evaluated that my economic policies will strengthen the U.S. economy." In contrast, she added about former President Trump, "He will lower taxes for billionaires. His policies will weaken the economy."
Vice President Harris asserted, "We will turn the page on Trump's rhetoric and leadership that divided America and caused Americans to point fingers at each other," adding, "Trump is unstable and dangerous. The American people are tired of this." Nevertheless, when asked why half of America still supports former President Trump and why he is winning in battleground states, she replied, "It's not an easy question." When host Bret Baier asked whether Trump supporters are "misguided" or "stupid," she refused to answer, saying, "I won't say that."
On this day, Vice President Harris also criticized former President Trump's recent interview, in which he labeled anti-Trump forces as "internal enemies" and mentioned the possibility of deploying the military on election day. She said, "In a democracy, the President of the United States must willingly accept criticism," adding, "This is why people like the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Trump is a threat to America. He is unstable." Furthermore, she urged support by stating that Trump has already violated the Constitution and could do so again, saying, "No matter your party or who you voted for in the last election, there is a place for you in this campaign."
The interview between Vice President Harris and the pro-Trump Fox News showed signs of a power struggle from the start. During the Q&A on illegal immigration, when host Baier repeatedly interrupted and interjected, Vice President Harris raised her voice, saying, "I'm answering. Please let me finish." An unrelated video was also played during the discussion. Additionally, when Vice President Harris called former President Trump "unstable," Baier shifted the topic to President Biden, who had withdrawn from the Democratic presidential race amid concerns about his age, asking, "When did you first notice his mental decline?" Toward the end of the interview, when Vice President Harris was answering questions about Iran and Israel, a graphic about "Iran oil imports" appeared on the screen. Vice President Harris stopped her response and expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "I would like us to have a conversation based on facts."
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