VP Kamala Harris stepped into the lions den yesterday‚ sitting down with Fox News anchor Bret Baier for a rare interview. The conversation which lasted half-an-hour‚ centered on hot-button issues like immigration that are dear to Fox viewers hearts.
Baier didnt pull any punches‚ often cutting in on Harris responses in an attempt to steer her away from prepared statements. This aggressive style wasnt unique to Harris though; Baier had similarly grilled Donald Trump in a June 2023 interview about classified documents found at his Florida home.
However the networks treatment of Trump has softened since he became the clear GOP frontrunner. A recent “town hall“ with Trump hosted by Harris Faulkner‚ gave him an open platform to address campaign criticisms and tout his appeal to non-White voters.
Fox News real strategy became clear in the hours following Harris interview. Primetime hosts like Laura Ingraham‚ Jesse Watters‚ and Sean Hannity picked apart her responses‚ framing them in the most negative light possible:
- Ingraham claimed Harris “wasnt prepared to answer the real questions“
- Watters described covering Harris as “disorienting“
- Hannity said Harris appeared “agitated“ and took “zero responsibility“
This approach highlights Fox News ability to recontextualize content fitting its political objectives. While Harris might have hoped to reach Trump-skeptical Republicans‚ the networks relentless framing likely limited any potential impact on its viewers
Its doubtful the interview will sway many Fox News watchers. However Harris can claim she was willing to engage with opposing viewpoints – something Trump hasnt done on left-leaning networks. Ultimately‚ Fox News game is boosting Trump and criticizing Harris‚ and they played it to perfection