Former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), have sat down for at least 47 interviews since the Harris-Walz ticket was formed, compared with just eight unscripted interviews for the Democratic presidential ticket so far.
Vance gave interviews to CNN, Fox News and ABC following Tuesday’s ABC News presidential debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, and also appeared on Fox News’ “The Story” on Wednesday. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke to MSNBC and ABC after the debate, marking his fourth and fifth solo interviews since joining the Democratic ticket last month.
Trump also joined Fox News' Sean Hannity for an interview, where he said he felt the ABC debate was “three-on-one” in criticism of moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis. He also joined “FOX & Friends” on Wednesday morning to react to the debate.
ABC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: MODERATORS DAVID MUIR AND LINSEY DAVIS FACT-CHECK TRUMP 5 TIMES, NONE FOR HARRIS
From left: Former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, have different media strategies than Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. (Getty Images)
Harris and Walz ended their lengthy interview drought last month when they spoke to CNN’s Dana Bash in Georgia after weeks of stonewalling the media. The interview, which drew widespread press coverage, was the first time Harris sat down with a reporter since well before she selected Walz on Aug. 6.
Last week, Harris recorded two radio interviews with Uforia, Televisa Univision's audio network, and Rickey Smiley, host of the nationally syndicated “Rickey Smiley Show.” The Uforia interview aired Friday, while the Smiley interview was delayed until Monday due to what the campaign reportedly called “technical difficulties.”
Walz also spoke last week to WCMU radio in Michigan, as well as “The Morning News with Nancy Kman and Jason Barsky” on WILK in Pennsylvania, and “The Chad Holmes Show” on WXCO in Wisconsin.
Since Aug. 6, Trump has spoken with Mark Levin, host of Fox News’ “Life, Liberty & Levin,” NBC News, the Daily Mail, Dr. Phil, Fox News’ Alicia Acuna, Hugh Hewitt Radio, FOX Business, podcaster Theo Von, the New York Post, WBRE News Wilkes-Barre, WLOS News 13 Asheville, Univision and “FOX & Friends” twice. He has also appeared on at least two other cable news outlets and sat down with supporter Elon Musk for an extended conversation, according to a Fox News Digital report.
52 DAYS: KAMALA HARRIS HAS YET TO HOLD A FORMAL PRESS CONFERENCE SINCE EMERGING AS A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speak to CNN on August 29. (CNN)
The former president also sat down with podcaster Lex Fridman in an interview that was published Tuesday and on a New Hampshire radio show Wednesday, followed by a town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
Vance, who has criticized Harris for dodging the press, has spoken to “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” during that same time period.
He was interviewed by CNBC on Thursday and also gave an interview this week to The Shawn Ryan Show.
Vance also appeared on Fox News' “The Ingraham Angle” last week and did an interview with supporter Charlie Kirk.
Former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, have given at least 39 interviews since the Harris-Walz ticket was formed, some of them with supporters. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Harris has yet to hold a formal news conference since replacing President Biden as the Democratic nominee, opting instead for quick “briefs” lasting a few minutes and off-the-record sessions with reporters on her campaign plane.
USA Today Washington bureau chief Susan Page believes Americans deserve to hear both candidates answer tough questions.
“I think part of the job description of being president 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 told Fox News Digital.
“One of the primary ways we do that is through interviews and press conferences. And I think anyone running for president should have the expectation that they're going to do interviews and press conferences, although they can also do town hall meetings and other things where they have a chance to talk to the American people,” he continued. “You need to communicate, connect with voters, and answer their questions if you expect them to vote for you and if you expect them to follow you when you govern.”
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This report has been updated with additional interviews from both candidates.
Fox News Digital's Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
