JD Vance Demands Media Accountability and Answers from Kamala Harris

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance criticizes the media for giving Harris a "honeymoon" and urges reporters to demand answers about her record.

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has once again demanded that the media press Vice President Kamala Harris to answer questions about her record, suggesting that reporters have been giving her a "honeymoon" from criticism.

During a Wednesday press conference in Detroit, Vance asked the media to "show a little bit of self-awareness" and urge Harris to "do the job of a presidential candidate" by speaking to reporters.

JD Vance Demands Media Accountability and Answers from Kamala Harris

"Until she does, you guys have got to stop giving her a honeymoon and pretending that she is something she isn't," he said.

Vance went on to attack Harris' past comments on policing and her role in stemming the flow of migration at the southern border.

JD Vance Demands Media Accountability and Answers from Kamala Harris

"The media honeymoon for a person who runs away from the American people is disgraceful. It's not just disgraceful for Kamala Harris, it's increasingly disgraceful on the part of the media," he added.

Vance previously scolded the media about their coverage of Harris while speaking to a press gaggle on his plane ahead of a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Ohio senator took a question about former President Trump not appearing on the campaign trail until Friday, saying he and Trump take a "divide and conquer" approach.

JD Vance Demands Media Accountability and Answers from Kamala Harris

But he pivoted to hitting Harris, who hasn't sat for a formal interview or a press conference in the more than two weeks since she ascended as the Democratic nominee.

"I think you guys have got to do a better job at actually forcing Kamala Harris to answer questions," he said. "This is a person who has been a presumptive Democrat nominee for 16 days. She hasn't taken a single real question from a reporter. The American people deserve to get to know the people who want to lead them, and I think it's shameful for Kamala Harris, but increasingly for the media, that she is taking a basement strategy of running from reporters instead of getting in front of them and answering tough questions about her record and letting the American people know who she is."

Vance said he and Trump take both "hostile questions" and non-hostile ones because they respect the American people.

Save for brief informal remarks to reporters at various points since she took over the 2024 ticket, Harris has avoided the press en route to clinching the nomination, and enjoyed highly favorable coverage all the while.

Vance's criticism echoes similar sentiments from other Republicans, who have accused Harris of dodging accountability and avoiding tough questions.

Harris' team has defended her record, arguing that she has been busy campaigning and meeting with voters. They have also pointed to her previous interviews and public appearances as evidence that she is accessible to the media.

However, Vance and other critics argue that Harris has not been transparent enough and has not adequately addressed concerns about her past positions. They say that the media has a responsibility to hold her accountable and to ensure that voters have a full understanding of her record and qualifications.