**WASHINGTON** — As the race for the presidency enters its final stages, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are ramping up their media engagements, shedding more light on their policy intentions and campaign tactics.
Recently, Harris participated in interviews with prominent figures like Charlamagne tha God, recognized for his influence among younger and Black demographics. She is also slated to appear on Fox News, a network that typically aligns with Republican viewpoints. On the other hand, Trump engaged in a challenging discussion with the editor of Bloomberg News during an economic forum in Chicago, where the audience generally supported him. He has also held town hall meetings on Fox and the Spanish-language channel Univision.
This recent flurry of interviews marks a notable shift from the controlled campaign strategies both candidates had previously adopted. Traditionally, they have avoided standard interviews, opting instead for friendly platforms. Harris, under scrutiny for a lack of interviews after stepping in for President Joe Biden at the head of the Democratic ticket, has increased her media presence this month, showcasing her willingness to engage with a variety of interviewers. Among her notable appearances, she has been on ABC’s “The View,” chatted with Howard Stern, and was interviewed by Stephen Colbert. Unlike Trump, who canceled an appearance on “60 Minutes,” she aimed to demonstrate her readiness to tackle tough questions.
Trump’s interview with Bloomberg’s John Micklethwait was particularly noteworthy given the less conservative setting; however, the crowd frequently applauded him during the back-and-forth. Micklethwait pressed Trump on his support of tariffs and how he would finance his proposed initiatives. In addition, Trump has been actively participating in town halls, including one directed at a female audience on Fox News and another on Univision that engaged Latino voters. Both candidates are working to expand their support bases in this tightly contested election, emphasizing the importance of every interview.
While Trump has publicly taken pride in leading the rollback of Roe v. Wade, his latest statements indicate a growing awareness of the political peril this issue poses for him and his party. During an event, he was confronted by a member of the audience regarding women’s rights and the role of government in their health decisions, which led him to acknowledge that some state laws on abortion might be “too tough.” Trump hinted at re-evaluations of these laws without offering clarity, suggesting that there are movements to change strict abortion bans. Although his party has seen a backlash from women voters since the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump appears to be hoping that his ambiguous promises will mitigate the potential fallout as the election nears.
In a recent conversation with Charlamagne, Harris boldly echoed sentiments about Trump that have been increasingly apparent during the election cycle, stating that voters face “two very different visions for our nation,” with Trump representing an autocratic approach. This was a momentous acknowledgment for Harris, aligning with her party’s message that democratic values are at stake this Election Day, particularly concerning Trump’s actions related to the 2020 election and the insurrection on January 6, 2021. Trump, in his recent interviews, has characterized the attack on the Capitol as an act of “love” and reiterated that his Democratic rivals pose a more significant threat to the nation than foreign adversaries, using charged language that experts warn is a common tactic among authoritarian leaders.
With the upcoming election being closely contested, both candidates are eager to capture the support of Black male voters. Harris, in conversation with Charlamagne, warned that Trump seeks to revive aggressive policing strategies that have historically impacted Black men. She pledged to champion legislation against discriminatory policing practices and to explore reparations for the descendants of enslaved individuals. This marked a return to topics of criminal justice reform that have resurfaced in her campaign narrative. In contrast, Trump exhibited assurance when addressing Black audiences, acknowledging that while Harris might dominate among Black voters, he is making inroads, particularly with younger Black men. In a critical election, even minor shifts in voter sentiment could be pivotal. Trump underscored this urgency by questioning the judgment of any Black voter who would support Harris, asserting his strong performance among these demographics.
Harris countered Trump’s framing by stating that it is the Republican campaign that seeks to intimidate voters who might otherwise lean towards her candidacy. “Ask Donald Trump what his plan is for Black America,” she urged, emphasizing the importance of direct accountability on policy matters.
