Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with reporters for the first time Thursday since being named presumptive Democratic nominee almost three weeks ago.
Harris talked to reporters on the tarmac at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on Thursday afternoon, following a campaign event in Michigan and former President Donald Trump’s lengthy news conference at his Florida Mar-a-Lago estate.
The vice president responded to ongoing criticism that she has not held a wide-ranging interview or formal press conference since becoming the presumptive nominee.
“I’ve talked to my team. I want us to get an interview scheduled before the end of the month,” said Harris.
Harris also mentioned an agreement with Trump to participate in three presidential debates before Election Day on November 5.
“Well, I’m glad that he’s finally agreed to a debate on September 10,” said the VP, adding she’d be willing to schedule additional debates with the former president.
The pair agreed to three debates hosted by ABC, NBC, and Fox News next month.
Previously, Trump indicated he may back out of the ABC debate, which was scheduled before Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate nearly three weeks ago.
“I am beyond trying to speculate about how he thinks,” said Harris when asked about Trump backing out of the debate.
Harris addressed criticism of Walz over “stolen valor”
VP Harris additionally addressed Republicans who have questioned Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s military record after he was named her running mate Tuesday.
“Listen, I praise anyone who has presented themselves to serve our country,” said Walz. “And I think that we all should.”
The controversy came after the GOP accused Walz of engaging in “stolen valor garbage” regarding his military credentials.
Harris stopped on the tarmac after former President Trump attacked her for not taking questions on the record from the press on the campaign trail since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee.
“Kamala refuses to do interviews because her team realizes she is unable to answer questions, much like Biden was not able to answer questions, but for different reasons,” posted Trump on Truth Social.
Harris also failed to appear at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago, where Trump made headlines last week for a question-and-answer session.
Since she emerged as the presumptive nominee last month, the vice president has gone 18 days without holding a formal press conference. President Biden endorsed her on July 21, when he suspended his re-election campaign.
Since then, Harris has been traveling cross-country across the United States on the campaign trail and giving informal remarks.
