Is Harris Entering the Lion’s Den With Fox News?

President Joe Biden announced his decision to end his re-election campaign on July 21, and soon after, Vice President Kamala Harris was appointed the Democratic nominee. Since then, the presidential candidate has shied away from doing interviews, and it wasn’t until Aug. 29 that she finally appeared for her first major TV talk (on CNN), accompanied by VP hopeful Tim Walz. Harris' meetings since then have been with “friendlies,” those who align with the left. However, tonight (Oct. 16), she may face her biggest media challenge as she interacts with Fox News.

Harris on Fox News: What to Expect

Until now, Harris has been very selective about her media presence, choosing outlets sympathetic to her ideology. Recently, she appeared on ABC’s The View, CBS’ The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Howard Stern’s SiriusXM radio show, and a pre-recorded episode of CBS’ 60 Minutes. The View has a very liberal panel. Colbert moderated a Democratic fundraising event featuring Biden and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. And Stern has made comments about former President Trump, such as, “I don’t think he should be anywhere near the White House.” Those interviews were easy-peasy.

Though the 60 Minutes broadcast was mildly more challenging, Harris – and CBS – were exposed to criticism for the network heavily editing her responses to appear more coherent. It seems unlikely that Fox News will afford such aid.

Keep in mind that Harris has appeared mostly on entertainment programs so far, not heavy-hitting news networks. “The big lift from those shows now is all through viral dissemination,” Democratic strategist Mark Longabaugh told The Hill. “I never see any of those shows live.” Yet, they do have their purposes. Entertainment shows can give candidates a chance to connect with the public in a broader sense. “These are moments that can connect with the culture and the zeitgeist of the country,” he said. “These aren’t big, heavy political lifts.”

Fox News, on the other hand, could be considered a serious political venue. The network’s chief political anchor Bret Baier may not let Harris skirt his questions, as she has been allowed to do thus far. Since her campaign has been so careful in choosing friendly outlets, why has she decided to do an interview with Fox News' Special Report, one of the most-watched programs on cable news? Is it desperation?

The polls, often hard to decipher, have shown Trump pulling away from Harris. Critics claim voters don’t know enough about the vice president, and her careful interviews have only added to that mystery – which is not a good thing when it comes to politics and campaign goals.

Trump voiced his opinion about Harris’ motives on Truth Social, saying, “Lyin’ Kamala Harris has wisely chosen Bret Baier, of FoxNews, to do a much needed interview, because he is considered to be ‘Fair & Balanced,’ though often very soft to those on the ‘cocktail circuit’ Left.” He added:

“I would have preferred seeing a more hard hitting journalist, but Fox has grown so weak and soft on the Democrats, constantly polluting the airwaves with unopposed Kamala Representatives, that it all doesn’t matter anymore. Hopefully, the people will understand on November 5th, and Early Voting. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The interview will air tonight on the Special Report newscast at 6 p.m. EDT. Baier said in a post earlier this week that it will be pre-taped and include “minimal” editing.