Donald Trump and Kamala Harris Offer New Details on Policy, Strategy in Dueling Interviews

WASHINGTON — As the presidential race moved into its final weeks, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump embarked on a series of interviews that offered new details about their political priorities and political strategies.

In recent days, Harris has spoken with Charlamagne tha God, whose radio show is especially popular with young and black audiences, and will be interviewed on Fox News, normally a safe haven for Republicans. Meanwhile, Trump participated in a controversial interview with the editor of Bloomberg News at an economic forum in Chicago, although the crowd was friendly to him, and participated in town halls on Fox News and the Spanish-language network Univision.

Here are some takeaways from the appearance cascade:

Both candidates largely avoided traditional interviews during the campaign, preferring to sit in front of friendly hosts, often in non-traditional media settings. The two-day interview marathon was a notable, partial break with that strategy.

Harris, whom the Trump campaign criticized for not giving interviews after replacing President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, picked up the pace this month. The vice president appeared on ABC’s “The View,” spoke with radio host Howard Stern and taped a show with comedian Stephen Colbert, among other appearances. She also spoke to “60 Minutes” magazine, as is traditional for presidential candidates, while Trump canceled his appearance on the program.

Harris’ appearance on Fox with anchor Bret Baier on Wednesday seemed designed to show her willingness to stand up to any heckler, especially after Trump quit “60 Minutes.”

Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait’s interview of the former president in Chicago on Tuesday was an unusual appearance before a non-conservative questioner, although the audience often applauded him when he clashed with the interviewer. Micklethwait challenged Trump’s support for tariffs and his plans to pay for his campaign promises.

He also faced an all-female audience at a Fox News town hall before participating in a town hall on the Spanish-language network Univision, where he faced pointed questions from Latino voters. Like Harris, Trump is trying to broaden his coalition to get the key votes he needs to win the tight race. So, for him too, every interview counts.

Trump has repeatedly said he is proud of his leading role in overturning Roe v Wade. But his latest comments on abortion serve as a fresh reminder that the Republican understands the issue is politically dangerous for him and his party.

He was forced to defend his position when he asked a surprisingly blunt question from the female audience at a Fox News town hall.

“Women have the right to do what they want and need to do with their bodies, including the fetus. That is their responsibility, regardless of the circumstances,” the questioner said. “Some are needed to save their own lives. Why is the government involved in women’s basic rights?”

Trump initially responded with his typical refrain that the issue had been returned to the states. But he also acknowledged that some of the state laws are “very strict.” And he went further: “And this will be redone, because there is already a movement in these states… to remake it”.

It’s not exactly clear what Trump was referring to. There is little evidence that pro-Trump Republican officials in states that have adopted strict abortion bans, some of which take effect before many women realize they are pregnant, are taking steps to “rework” their laws.

Some states with strict bans have questions on the ballot this year that would reverse them. That includes Florida, where Trump criticized the ban as too harsh but also said he would vote to uphold the law.

The truth is that Roe’s reversal was a political disaster for Trump’s Republican Party. Women have revolted against the Republican Party in several elections since the Supreme Court ruling. But Trump is betting that muddying the waters with vague promises and a softer tone could limit the damage in November.

Charlamagne pushed the limits of Harris’ rhetoric when the Democrat reminded voters they had “two choices… and they are two very different visions for our nation.”

“The other is about fascism. Why can’t we just say it? Charlamagne interrupted.

Harris immediately responded, “Yes, we can say that.”

It was the first time the vice president had so directly and publicly agreed to this type of language to describe Trump. The exchange underscored Harris’ decision to return to a key Biden argument as Election Day approaches: Democracy will be at stake on Nov. 5. And, the Democratic argument goes, Trump is unfit to lead because of his lies about the legitimacy of the 2020 election, his role in the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol and his consistent authoritarian rhetoric, among other things.