Well, would you look at that? CNN is finally calling out fake news—even when it comes from their own guests. On Monday’s Inside Politics, Dana Bash didn’t hold back when her colleague Jeff Zeleny tried to paint President Trump as a guy who only talks to friendly media. Zeleny was busy spinning a tale about Trump’s supposedly cushy interviews when Bash cut him off to remind him that, actually, Trump went in front of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) earlier this year. So much for the narrative that Trump only sticks to Fox News and buddies who’ll throw him softballs.
Zeleny tried to brush this off by saying it wasn’t a “formal interview,” as if that somehow doesn’t count. Funny thing, though—if it had been Harris doing the same, you can bet they’d be calling it a major moment of bravery. Bash didn’t back down, though, reminding viewers that Trump has taken his fair share of unscripted questions, not just from the NABJ, but also from CNBC and several local outlets throughout the year. Clearly, Trump isn’t just sticking to the conservative bubble Zeleny wants us to believe.
And look, this whole exchange on Inside Politics comes amid a wave of criticism directed at Harris for avoiding any real, challenging interviews. While Trump’s fielding questions from all kinds of journalists, Harris is busy making the rounds on The View, Call Her Daddy, and The Howard Stern Show. Now, these might be popular shows, but they’re not exactly known for their hard-hitting political grilling. With less than a month before the election, her media strategy looks more like a PR blitz aimed at image control than a genuine effort to engage with voters’ real concerns.
Meanwhile, Harris’s dodging routine was on full display in her 60 Minutes sit-down with Bill Whitaker. When asked about the skyrocketing numbers at the southern border, she tried to pin the blame on—you guessed it—Trump. But Whitaker wasn’t having it. He pressed her on the fact that illegal crossings actually quadrupled on her watch, not his. And how did Harris respond? By claiming that, somehow, the border situation has improved because of her administration. It’s like she’s living in an alternate reality where saying something makes it true.
The bottom line is, while Trump’s out there taking questions—even from journalists who aren’t exactly fans—Harris is sticking to scripted formats and softball interviews. And CNN finally stepping up to fact-check their own panelists? Well, it’s about time.
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