Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris attended a campaign event at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan, on October 4, 2024. During a heated interview with Fox News anchor Brett Baier, Harris sought to differentiate her position from that of President Joe Biden, while also criticizing her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.
Harris emphasized that her presidency would not merely continue Biden’s administration. She asserted, "Let me be very clear, my presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency." She highlighted her unique life and professional experiences, along with new ideas she intends to bring.
The interview, lasting 26 minutes, focused significantly on immigration issues. Harris attributed the failure of a bipartisan bill to address the southern border crisis to Trump’s influence. The discussion began tensely, with Baier repeatedly interrupting Harris as she attempted to respond to questions about immigration. Harris remarked, "You have to let me finish please … I’m in the middle of responding to the point you’re raising, and I’d like to finish."
Several notable moments from the interview include:
On whether she owes an apology to families of victims killed by undocumented immigrants: Harris stated that the immigration system has been broken beyond Trump’s administration. She noted, "I have no pride in saying that this is a perfect immigration system. I’ve been clear. I think we all are that it needs to be fixed."
Regarding a Trump ad on taxpayer dollars used for gender reassignment: Harris criticized Trump for spending $20 million on ads to instill fear among voters. She said, "[Trump] spent $20 million on those ads, trying to create a sense of fear in the voters, because he actually has no plan in this election that is about focusing on the needs of the American people."
On differences from Biden: Harris claimed to represent a "new generation of leadership," distinguishing herself by her relatively short career in Washington, D.C. She expressed openness to ideas from Republicans, the business sector, and others.
On Trump’s rhetoric towards voters: Harris accused Trump of divisive rhetoric, claiming he suggests using military force against Americans and targeting citizens for their dissent. She advocated for a president who accepts criticism without retaliatory threats, reinforcing democratic values.
- On Trump’s fitness to serve as president: Harris deemed Trump unfit, unstable, and dangerous, aligning with some Republicans’ views. She described public fatigue with Trump’s leadership style, which she characterized as centered on personal grievances.
