Bill Maher recently sparked a debate on media relations during the Friday night airing of his show *Real Time With Bill Maher*, where he expressed a critical view of Vice President Kamala Harris’ approach to the press. In a conversation with CNN reporter Kaitlin Collins, Maher suggested that Harris’ avoidance of unscripted media interactions might be more insulting than former President Donald Trump’s overtly hostile treatment of the media.
Maher questioned Collins about Harris’ media strategy, remarking, “What do you think about the fact that Kamala doesn’t talk to the press?” He compared this approach unfavorably with Trump’s approach, saying, “In a way, I feel like it’s more insulting than what Trump does.” He elaborated that Trump’s rhetoric—calling the press the “enemy of the people”—was offensive, but Harris’ stance of ignoring the press altogether seemed even more dismissive to him.
The discussion, originally reported by Mediaite, featured Maher’s critique of Harris’ lack of unscripted interviews, suggesting that it conveyed a message of disregard for the press. He argued, “What she’s kinda saying is ‘I don’t need you, I’m not talking to you, you’re not relevant anymore,’ to me that’s even worse than ‘I hate you.’”
Collins, however, countered Maher’s perspective by defending the press coverage under Trump. She pointed out that Trump’s daily denigration of the press was a significant issue, noting her own experiences as a White House correspondent. Collins stated, “I don’t know if it’s worse than denigrating the press on a daily basis,” and added, “Trump did, I mean, I covered him in the White House every day as a correspondent.” She recounted how Trump would often engage in personal arguments with reporters or outright deny the questions being asked, highlighting the challenges of covering his administration.
The conversation also touched upon Collins’ personal experience with Trump’s administration. In 2018, Collins was banned from attending a White House press event after asking about the Stormy Daniels audio tape. She recounted the incident to CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, saying, “I was blocked from attending an open press event here at the White House because the White House did not like the questions I posed to President Trump.” Trump’s spokesperson at the time, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, claimed Collins was “shouting questions” and had refused to leave despite being asked.
Despite her critique, Collins agreed with Maher on one point: Harris should engage more with the press. She expressed her belief that anyone in a position of significant power, like the Vice President, should be willing to take questions from the media. “I do think Harris should talk to the press,” Collins said, emphasizing that transparency is crucial for those holding high office, especially someone with access to sensitive information such as nuclear codes.
The conversation took a turn when Collins mentioned an interaction with Harris at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) event on Thursday. Harris had brushed off Fox News reporter Steve Doocy when he asked if she was prepared for a Fox News interview. This incident further fueled discussions about Harris’ media strategy and her willingness to engage with various media outlets.
Maher’s comments and the subsequent discussion reflect ongoing debates about the relationship between political figures and the media. While Maher and Collins differ in their views on the severity of Harris’ approach compared to Trump’s, both agree on the importance of media engagement in a democratic society. The exchange underscores the complexities of media relations and the challenges of balancing transparency with political strategy.
