Kamala Harris Takes First Questions From the Press Since Becoming Democratic Nominee

AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson

Vice President Kamala Harris took her first questions from the press on Thursday since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

Harris – who has received criticism for dodging questions from the press since she launched her presidential campaign last month – answered a few short questions from reporters on Thursday evening, addressing debates with former President Donald Trump and Republican attacks on her running mate Tim Walz .

“VP Kamala Harris took a few questions on the tarmac just now,” reported Politico White House correspondent Eugene Daniels in a series of social media posts. “On a sit-down interview: ‘I’ve talked to my team. I want us to get an interview scheduled before the end of the month.'”

Asked about her upcoming debate against Trump, Harris said , “Well, I’m glad that he’s finally agreed to a debate on September 10.”

She added, “I am happy to have that conversation about an additional debate, or after September 10, for sure.”

Asked about Republican accusations that her running mate Walz engaged in “stolen valor,” Harris said , “Listen, I praise anyone who has presented themselves to serve our country. And I think that we all should.”

Harris’ remarks appeared to be the first given to reporters since the launch of her presidential campaign last month.

Both the questions and the answers, however, received criticism on social media, with conservatives accusing them of being soft and inadequate.

“Those aren’t questions. Those are talking points,” protested one social media user, while Washington Free Beacon journalist Joe Simonson commented , “Look at the questions these morons asked.”

“Peak journalism is that when you finally get a chance to ask the candidate a question you ask about when they will take more questions,” mocked Bloomberg columnist Matthew Yglesias .

Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro weighed in , “Sounds super rough, guys. No, this doesn’t count as her answering serious or tough questions. This is a gentle hot stone massage.”