Vice President Kamala Harris will take part in a live town hall with CNN on October 23, her campaign announced on Thursday. The event comes as former President Donald Trump declined to participate in another debate before the November 5 election, intensifying the focus on the vice president’s appearance.
Harris to Share Vision at CNN Town Hall
Harris’ CNN town hall will be held in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state for the 2024 presidential race. The town hall offers her a platform to discuss her “New Way Forward” vision for the country, according to her campaign. Trump, who was also offered a CNN town hall, has not yet responded to the network’s invitation.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris’ campaign chair, emphasized that while Trump has chosen to avoid additional public debates, Harris welcomes the opportunity to engage with voters. “Trump may want to hide from the voters, but Vice President Harris is happy to accept CNN’s invitation for a live, televised town hall,” Dillon said in a statement.
Trump Declines Debate and Media Interviews
Trump’s decision to forgo another debate with Harris follows a string of media controversies. Recently, Trump declined an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” and criticized the network for what he called biased editing in a previous interview with Harris. While Trump has remained active in media appearances, including podcasts and conservative outlets like Fox News, his refusal to debate Harris once more has been criticized by her campaign.
“Donald Trump’s refusal to join Vice President Harris on the debate stage again is a disservice to the American people,” O’Malley Dillon added. “They deserve to see the candidates side by side one last time before making their final decisions.”
Harris’ Media Strategy vs. Trump’s Campaign Tactics
In the weeks leading up to the election, Harris has appeared on both traditional and non-traditional platforms, aiming to reach a wide range of voters. Her recent media engagements include an appearance on the popular podcast “Call Her Daddy,” signaling her campaign’s effort to target younger voters and a diverse audience. Trump, meanwhile, has been making appearances on conservative-leaning platforms like Andrew Schulz’s podcast and Fox News, focusing on his base of supporters.
The October 23 town hall will be a significant moment in the final weeks of the campaign, giving Harris another chance to connect directly with voters on live television. It also marks a stark contrast in media strategies between the two candidates as the election draws near.
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