Vice President Kamala Harris confronted questions from New York Instances writer AG Sulzberger final 12 months about President Biden avoiding interviews with main newspapers, in accordance with a brand new report.
Throughout an off-the-record assembly with reporters at Instances headquarters final Might, Sulzberger confronted Harris for a number of minutes about why Biden didn’t do sit-down interviews with main newspapers, together with The New York Instances. Harris reportedly directed Sulzberger to contact the White Home press workplace and later expressed frustration to her aides at what she perceived as a waste of time, Politico reported.
The Politico piece detailed the rising rigidity between the Biden administration and The New York Instances, with Biden aides suggesting the paper is entitled to particular therapy whereas the Instances believes Biden is being unrealistic about his function.
The New York Instances confirmed Sulzberger's confrontation with Harris and criticized Biden for his historic avoidance of one-on-one interviews. Instances spokesman Charlie Stadtlander pressured the significance of the president's conversations with main information organizations and the risks of avoiding scrutiny and accountability. Stadtlander emphasised the necessity for Biden to interact with media retailers corresponding to The Washington Submit, The Wall Avenue Journal, Reuters and CNN.
Sulzberger reportedly claimed that solely an interview with The New York Instances may verify President Biden's psychological health for a second time period. The Instances additionally confronted criticism from the White Home over its protection of Biden's age.
In line with Politico, Biden has participated in solely two print interviews since taking workplace, with The Related Press and The New Yorker, whereas additionally partaking in a number of pleasant conversations with liberal reporters or comedians.
The White Home declined to touch upon non-public discussions with reporters and editors, stressing the significance of trustworthy and respectful dialogue between the media and administrations in a wholesome democracy.
