Kamala Harris gave her first interview as the Democratic presidential nominee to CNN’s Dana Bash, alongside her running mate, Tim Walz, on Thursday. During the interview, which was taped in Savannah, Georgia, Harris defended her changes in stance on various policy issues and expressed her support for Joe Biden.
Harris emphasized that her top priority as president would be to “support and strengthen the middle class” through policies like expanding the child tax credit, cracking down on price gouging, and increasing access to affordable housing—initiatives she has highlighted throughout her campaign.
She also shared for the first time how she learned of Biden’s decision not to run for re-election. She described receiving a phone call while spending time with her family. When asked if Biden offered his endorsement, she replied that he was clear about his support for her.
Harris reiterated her support for Biden despite his decision to step down, praising his leadership and dismissing concerns over his age. She described serving as Biden’s vice president as one of the greatest honors of her career and criticized former President Donald Trump, claiming he lacks the qualities needed for the presidency.
Harris also spoke about the administration’s economic achievements, citing lowered insulin costs, reduced inflation rates, and increased manufacturing jobs. She acknowledged that while there is more work to be done, the progress made so far is commendable.
On her shifts in policy, such as fracking and immigration, Harris clarified that her core values remain unchanged. She no longer supports a fracking ban and believes in balancing the climate crisis with a thriving clean energy economy. On immigration, she emphasized the need to enforce laws while highlighting her experience prosecuting transnational criminal organizations.
Harris expressed openness to appointing a Republican to her cabinet to encourage diverse opinions and experiences. She dismissed a question about Trump’s racially charged comments, labeling them as “same old, tired playbook.”
The interview, conducted as Harris and Walz toured Savannah on a campaign bus, comes just weeks before the first scheduled debate between Harris and Trump. Despite criticisms over the interview being pre-recorded and not live, Harris has faced scrutiny for not engaging more frequently with the media since announcing her candidacy.
Walz also addressed criticisms, including past misstatements about his military service and comments on fertility treatments. He explained these remarks as honest but occasionally poorly phrased responses, maintaining that his intentions and values are clear to those who know him.
Reflecting on emotional moments from the Democratic convention, Walz described his son Gus’s reaction as deeply moving. Harris, reflecting on a moment involving her grand-niece during her acceptance speech, expressed a sense of humility and commitment to serving all Americans, regardless of race or gender.
It’s uncertain whether Harris will increase her media presence moving forward, though some commentators suggest that more frequent interviews could reduce intense scrutiny on any single appearance. Trump responded to the interview on social media with a dismissive “BORING!!!”
