JD Vance Slams Media for 'Shameful' Handling of Kamala Harris Coverage

Republican VP candidate JD Vance has accused the media of failing to hold Kamala Harris accountable, calling her "basement strategy" of avoiding interviews "shameful."

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JD Vance Slams Media for 'Shameful' Handling of Kamala Harris Coverage

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance has blasted the media for its handling of Kamala Harris, accusing it of failing to press the Democratic nominee on her record.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Vance said it was "shameful" that Harris had not held a formal interview or press conference in the 16 days since she emerged as the presumptive nominee.

JD Vance Slams Media for 'Shameful' Handling of Kamala Harris Coverage

"The American people deserve to get to know the people who want to lead them," Vance 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."

Vance contrasted Harris' media strategy with his own and that of former President Donald Trump, who have both fielded tough questions from reporters.

"I take questions, whether they're hostile or non-hostile, because I respect the American people," Vance said. "I think it's important for them to know who they're voting for."

Vance's criticism of the media comes amid growing frustration among Republicans that Harris has been given a free pass by the press. Several GOP lawmakers have accused the media of bias in favor of Harris and of avoiding tough questions about her record.

Harris has been criticized for avoiding interviews, but she has also benefited from favorable coverage in many media outlets. A recent Gallup poll found that Harris has a 51% approval rating, compared to 42% for Vance.

Despite the favorable coverage, Vance argued that the media has a responsibility to hold all candidates accountable.

"I don't think it's fair to the American people when one candidate gets a free pass," Vance said. "I think you guys have a responsibility to ask tough questions of everyone who's running for office, regardless of their party."

Vance's remarks are likely to further fuel the debate over the media's role in the 2024 election. Republicans have accused the media of bias against Trump and other GOP candidates, while Democrats have accused the media of unfairly targeting their nominees.

The media has a long history of playing a role in presidential elections. In the 1960 election, the media's coverage of the Kennedy-Nixon debates is widely credited with helping Kennedy win the election. In recent years, the media's coverage of the Trump presidency has been a source of intense controversy.

It remains to be seen how the media's coverage of the 2024 election will impact the outcome. However, Vance's remarks are a reminder that the media's role in the election is likely to be a contentious issue.