Vice President Kamala Harris has come under fire for an apparent strategy to avoid questions from reporters as she boarded a plane on Monday.
According to Daily Mail Online, Harris was seen wearing headphones while passing through a group of journalists attempting to ask her questions at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The incident occurred as Harris was departing for a campaign trip across the Midwest. Footage shows the Vice President adjusting her headphones and waving dismissively at reporters as they try to get her attention. This move has sparked criticism on social media, with some accusing Harris of deliberately evading media scrutiny.
The Vice President's use of headphones as she boarded the plane has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Some social media users characterized the tactic as cowardly and insensitive, particularly in light of recent events.
One commenter on social media pointed out the timing of Harris's actions, stating:
An American Hostage gets killed and she literally is trying to block out questions about it. Unreal.
Others speculated about Harris's motivations, with one user sarcastically suggesting she might claim to be listening to music: "Sorry, too busy to answer questions. I'm listening to the new Taylor Swift song." Some observers noted that wearing headphones could be an intentional strategy to avoid engaging with the press.
This incident comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Harris's interactions with the media. The Vice President recently faced criticism for her performance in a CNN interview, which was her first major media appearance since becoming the Democratic nominee.
Critics argued that Harris failed to adequately address key issues such as the border crisis, inflation, and questions surrounding President Biden's health during the interview. David Axelrod, a former Obama strategist, offered a critical assessment of Harris's performance on CNN, stating that she hadn't "moved the ball forward that much."
Republican polling expert Frank Luntz expressed concerns about Harris's debate readiness, tweeting:
A lot of people think Kamala Harris has done well so far in this interview. I disagree – a good debater will find it easy to challenge her.
As the election campaign progresses, Harris is likely to face increased pressure to engage more directly with the media and address challenging questions. The upcoming presidential debate on September 10, where Harris will face off against Donald Trump for the first time, is seen as a crucial test for the Vice President.
Political analysts suggest that Trump may present a more hostile environment than Harris has encountered in recent media appearances. Scott Jennings, a former Bush advisor, warned that Trump would "not allow" Harris to avoid tough questions during the debate.
The Harris campaign now faces the challenge of preparing the Vice President for more rigorous media scrutiny and potentially confrontational debate scenarios. How Harris navigates these upcoming events could play a significant role in shaping public perception of her candidacy in the lead-up to the election.
Vice President Kamala Harris has faced criticism for appearing to avoid reporters by wearing headphones while boarding a plane for a Midwest campaign trip. Social media reactions were mixed, with some accusing her of dodging media questions. This comes as Harris has been under scrutiny for her media performances and her preparedness for future debates, including an upcoming one against Donald Trump.
