'Would it kill you guys to have a press conference?' CNN’s Jim Acosta confronts Kamala spokesperson over campaign dodging media

A spokesperson for the Kamala Harris campaign was pressed by CNN’s Jim Acosta on Wednesday over her avoidance of press conferences and media engagements.

Acosta confronted Harris's communications director, Michael Tyler, asking, "I’m sure this is not going to be the first time you’ve heard this question, but the Trump campaign is also going after the vice president for not doing enough interviews, for not holding a press conference. Would it kill you guys to have a press conference? Why hasn't she had a press conference?" 

Tyler attempted to dismiss the line of questioning by laughing, a cornerstone of Harris' communication strategy since she took office as Biden's VP. He then argued that Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, have been "busy" with campaign rallies across the country. 

"Michael, you know a campaign rally isn't really a press conference," Acosta pressed further. “Why hasn't she had a press conference? She's the vice president, she can handle the questions, why not do it?" 

Tyler assured that Harris is “absolutely” planning to hold a press conference and mentioned that she has agreed to a sit-down interview scheduled for the end of the month. Where that interview is, who it will be with, or when it will be has not been revealed.

When Acosta asked if the campaign would commit to holding a press conference by the end of the month, Tyler responded, "We will commit to directly engage with the voters who are actually going to decide this election. And that is going to be complete with rallies, with sit-down interviews, with press conferences, with all the digital assets that we have at our disposal."

This exchange comes as Harris has gone 24 days since President Biden exited the presidential race without participating in a formal interview or holding a press conference. Recent reports have suggested that Harris's allies and campaign advisors have urged her to avoid extensive media interactions, fearing that such engagements could disrupt her momentum in the election against former President Donald Trump.