Fox News host Bret Baier was surprised by Kamala Harris's late arrival for an interview on Wednesday, suggesting that her timing might have been intentional, as if she were "icing the kicker." Baier questioned whether Harris had appeared with the goal of creating a "viral moment" for broader media attention, which he believed she might have achieved.
The Democratic vice-presidential nominee participated in a tense interview with Baier, touching on topics like immigration, transgender healthcare, and criticizing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for suggesting the possibility of using the U.S. military against American citizens. Harris’s decision to appear on Fox News, a network known for its conservative leanings, came amid polling that shows the 2024 presidential race is increasingly competitive in key swing states.
In a bid to expand her audience beyond core supporters, Harris's campaign has also been considering an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast. A recent poll from 338Canada indicated Trump’s chances of winning the November election had risen to 51%, up from 47% just a week prior.
Baier later shared details about the interview process on Sean Hannity’s show. He explained that the timing of Harris’s arrival had created tension, as it delayed preparations for the live broadcast, scheduled to air at 6 p.m. ET. Originally expected at 5 p.m., Harris did not arrive until 5:17 p.m., putting pressure on the team to adjust their plans. Baier described the situation as "a little tense" but remained happy to get the interview regardless.
During the interview itself, Harris and Baier clashed on the topic of immigration. When Baier asked how many undocumented immigrants had been released into the U.S. under the Biden administration, Harris responded by calling the system "broken" and emphasized the need for reform. When Baier pressed on a claim by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that 85% of those detained near the Mexican border had been released, Harris interrupted, stating, "I'm not finished." She then criticized Trump for derailing bipartisan efforts at immigration reform earlier that year.
This exchange quickly gained traction on social media. Baier, during his discussion with Hannity, speculated that Harris might have come to Fox News seeking a confrontation, and possibly a viral moment aimed at other media channels and social platforms.
Baier also addressed claims from Trump supporters that he had agreed to go easy on Harris during the interview. Trump had criticized Baier as "very soft" in a Truth Social post. Baier responded by stating that there were no preconditions for the interview, no advanced access to questions, and assured that the interview had been conducted with complete editorial integrity, with only minor edits made for time.
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