Kamala Harris Limits Press Access, Sparking Criticism

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris's strategy of only giving off-the-record comments to her traveling press is facing criticism from some media outlets, who argue that it limits their ability to hold her accountable.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is facing mounting pressure to answer questions from the media, but she has largely limited her interactions with reporters to off-the-record comments on her campaign plane.

Harris has not held a formal press conference since emerging as the presumptive nominee last month. Instead, she has interacted with reporters sporadically, often making brief statements on the tarmac before or after events.

Kamala Harris Limits Press Access, Sparking Criticism

This strategy has drawn criticism from some media outlets, who argue that it limits their ability to hold Harris accountable.

"The press gets to hear her talk but won't share what she says with the voters. The polar opposite of what a press corps in a democracy is for," tweeted National Review Senior Writer Dan McLaughlin.

Kamala Harris Limits Press Access, Sparking Criticism

Harris's approach differs from that of her former rival, President Biden, who often took questions from reporters on his campaign plane. Biden has also held several formal press conferences since taking office.

One source close to the Harris campaign, who spoke to Politico under the condition of anonymity, questioned what the "incentive" was for Harris to take more questions.

Kamala Harris Limits Press Access, Sparking Criticism

"She's getting out exactly the message she wants to get out," the source said.

David Weigel, who covers politics for Semafor, suggested that Harris's remarks to the traveling press could explain why the media has avoided complaining about access.

"Harris has been talking with her traveling press off the record (which Biden rarely did). One reason that you haven't seen as much media grumbling about access - the outlets paying for the plane are getting facetime," he wrote on Twitter.

Harris's strategy has not been welcomed by all members of the media.

Daily Caller Deputy Managing Editor Dylan Housman suggested that Harris was "buying off" the press with "useless" off-the-record facetime so "she doesn't have to actually do anything the public could scrutinize."

JD Vance, who is running for the Republican nomination for Senate in Ohio, roasted Harris on the Wisconsin tarmac for avoiding the press, calling Air Force 2 his "future plane."

Harris's campaign has not commented on the criticism.

The Harris campaign did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.