Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has maintained a low profile.
She has avoided most media interactions since launching her campaign nearly three weeks ago, but has somehow managed to still surge in the polls.
Daily Caller reported that Harris is now in a statistical tie with Trump.
Her media silence and shifting policy positions, however, are drawing increasing scrutiny from the Trump campaign, which is determined to spotlight her reluctance to face the press.
The outlet noted that Harris has largely avoided questions, preferring controlled environments over press conferences or unscripted moments
The Biden administration’s record and her evolving stances remain unexamined by the media, so the Trump campaign has devised a strategy to force Harris into the spotlight.
Senator J.D. Vance is reportedly leading that charge, insiders have revealed to the Caller.
These sources say Vance plans to shadow Harris on the campaign trail, emphasizing the contrast between her scripted appearances and Trump’s willingness to engage with the press.
“Senator Vance and President Trump are showing up where Kamala Harris is not,” a campaign spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Caller.
The spokesperson noted that Trump attended the National Association of Black Journalists conference, an event Harris skipped.
He has also appeared with non-traditional media figures like streamer Adin Ross and Elon Musk.
The insider emphasized that Vance is set to mirror Harris’ campaign stops, highlighting her avoidance of direct questions.
The senator’s first move was on full display in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he arrived at the airport moments after Harris had departed, leaving reporters without answers.
“I wanted to take a good look at the plane because hopefully it’s going to be my plane in a few months,” Vance told journalists, adding that Harris’ lack of press availability was a disservice to the American people.
Harris finally answered some questions from reporters on Thursday, marking the first time in 18 days that she engaged with the press.Â
The Caller noted that her responses, however, did not address her significant policy shifts since her unsuccessful 2020 presidential bid.
Harris mentioned plans to set up an interview by the end of the month and expressed openness to additional debates with Trump, who earlier announced his agreement to participate in three debates.
The Trump campaign sees Harris’ media avoidance as a weakness and plans to keep the pressure on.
Insiders reveal that the campaign will use social media, particularly X, to remind the public of Harris’ shifting positions and her reluctance to face tough questions.
Republican National Committee (RNC) accounts have already begun highlighting Harris’s lack of unscripted moments, press conferences or interviews.
They are also pointing to her reversals on issues like a fracking ban, mandatory federal gun buybacks and the abolition of private health insurance.
The campaign is also prepared to address controversies surrounding Harris’ vice-presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Walz’s 2005 retirement from the Minnesota National Guard, under questionable circumstances, has raised eyebrows, with Trump Campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung issuing pointed questions in an email blast.
“You chose Tim Walz as your running mate because he reflects the values you hold. He has now been exposed as a liar and fraud. Is this pick a self-reflection of yourself?” Cheung wrote.
As the Democratic National Convention (DNC) approaches, Harris is expected to participate in a joint interview with her running mate, possibly delaying solo interviews until after Labor Day.
The Caller highlighted that some within her campaign argue that avoiding media appearances is a strategic move, with one ally suggesting that interviews could be deferred indefinitely.
Despite the current strategy, the Trump campaign believes that the pressure will eventually force Harris to engage more openly with the media.
“The dam is going to break,” one source predicted.
