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, stating that her presidential term is not an "extension of the Joe Biden administration," while launching attacks against Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, calling him "unstable" and "a threat to America." With just 20 days left until the U.S. presidential election and the race still extremely close, she appears to be raising the level of negative attacks to highlight the 'Trump risk.'
U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris criticized former President Donald Trump in an interview aired on Fox News on the 16th (local time). [Image source=Fox News capture]
First Interview with Fox News... "I am the leadership of a new generation"
In an interview aired on Fox News on the 16th (local time), Vice President Harris stated, "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 the leadership of a new generation." She claimed, "Trump is an unstable and dangerous person," and argued, "We will turn the page on Trump's rhetoric that divides America and causes Americans to point fingers at each other."
This was Vice President Harris's first official interview with Fox News, which is conservative and pro-Trump. With less than three weeks remaining until the November election, she has effectively ventured into the so-called 'enemy territory' to capture the votes of conservative voters who do not support former President Trump.
The first question began with the issue of 'illegal immigration,' considered a weakness for Vice President Harris in this election phase. After watching a video of a bereaved family who lost a child due to a crime committed by an illegal immigrant, Harris expressed regret but blamed Trump, saying, "Trump sank a comprehensive border security bill aimed at reforming the immigration system. He prefers causing problems rather than solving them." She claimed that despite the possibility of improving the immigration system through bipartisan legislation, former President Trump obstructed it to use the issue as a political weapon.
Regarding concerns that her administration would be the same as the current one if she were to take power as Biden's second-in-command, Harris drew a clear line. She defined her presidential term as a 'new generation of leadership' distinct from both President Biden and former President Trump. She mentioned that most of her career as a prosecutor was not based in Washington D.C. and emphasized that she would gather opinions from Republicans and the business community if she came to power. She also stated that her economic policies, designed to benefit the middle class and small businesses, were based on input from the business sector, predicting, "Trump's policies will weaken the economy."
When asked if she still supports using taxpayers' money to fund gender confirmation treatments for transgender individuals and illegal immigrants, she replied, "I will follow the law." This is one of the issues opposed by Fox News's main conservative audience. Harris said, "This is the law Trump actually followed," adding, "There are public reports that such treatments were provided to people in federal prisons under the Trump administration based on medical necessity." She then mentioned that former President Trump created videos and ran ad campaigns on this topic to attack her, saying, "He spent $20 million on those ads to instill fear in voters. There is no plan to focus on the demands of the American people in this election."
When asked about America's greatest enemy, she pointed to Iran. When questioned about whether the Biden administration is acting on the assessment that Iran is the greatest threat, she dismissed the doubt, saying, "The U.S. has always done what it must, cooperating with military leaders to ensure Israel can defend itself against attacks from Iran and terrorist proxy forces."
Interruptions amid tense atmosphere... "An adventure into enemy territory, success uncertain"
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," emphasizing, "This is why people like the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have said Trump is a threat to America." However, when asked why half of America supports former President Trump and why he is winning in battleground states, she replied, "It's not an easy thing." When host Bret Baier asked whether Trump supporters are 'misguided' or 'stupid,' Harris refused to answer, saying, "I won't say that."
The interview lasted about 25 minutes amid a tense battle of wills. During the Q&A on illegal immigration, host Baier repeatedly interrupted Harris, prompting her to raise her voice, saying, "I'm answering. Please let me finish." A video unrelated to the discussion was played, which Harris directly pointed out. When Harris called former President Trump "unstable," Baier shifted the topic, asking, "When did you first notice Biden's mental decline?" Toward the end of the interview, when Harris was answering questions about Iran and Israel, a graphic about 'Iran oil imports' appeared on the screen. Harris stopped her answer and expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "I wish we could have a fact-based conversation."
Political media outlet Politico reported, "Harris ventured into enemy territory, but the interview was controversial from start to finish," noting, "Host Baier recycled Republican claims and frequently interrupted Harris. At times, both interrupted each other." The Associated Press described the interview as "hostile," adding, "At times, they seemed unable to understand each other."
CNN also reported, "Harris and Fox News anchor Baier repeatedly exchanged irritation during their first interview." The outlet noted, "Many Democrats avoid Fox News due to its hostile commentary and reporting style, but Harris decided to do the interview because many undecided voters watch it. Harris wanted those voters to hear directly from her." This is also why Harris specifically mentioned her campaign website, where voters can check detailed policy information, at the end of the interview.
However, major foreign media, including Politico, added that it is still unclear whether Harris's attempt was successful. According to the average of polls released by CNN that evening, 50% of voters support Vice President Harris, while 49% support former President Trump. The race remains within a 1% margin of error. In the Fox News poll included in this tally, former President Trump led Harris by 2 percentage points with 50% support.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, shakes hands with anti-Trump Republicans who came to her campaign rally in Pennsylvania on the 16th (local time) to support her. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]
Over 100 Republicans attend Pennsylvania rally... Emphasizing 'Trump risk'
Meanwhile, Vice President Harris launched negative attacks against former President Trump in Pennsylvania, the largest battleground state, on the same day. She directly targeted his 'internal enemy' remarks, raising the tone by calling him "unstable and not sane" and "a very big risk." Notably, over 100 anti-Trump Republicans attended the event.
Addressing the Republicans standing with her on the podium, Harris said, "In a normal election, it would be surprising and unusual for you to be with me, but this election is different," adding, "This election is about the ideals of democracy that the Founding Fathers and generations before us fought for." She emphasized, "We share a core belief today that the country must come before the party and stand together." She claimed, "I have sworn to uphold the Constitution. This is the difference between Trump and me," asserting, "Trump is someone who tramples on the values of our democracy."
Adam Kinzinger, a prominent anti-Trump Republican, said, "Voting for Harris is also a conservative choice," adding, "Even if we have policy differences, they are nothing compared to fundamental issues like principles for this country."
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