Former President Donald Trump, 78, has once again backed out of a high-profile interview, this time on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” raising concerns about his fitness for office. Journalist Chris Wallace suggested that Trump’s repeated cancellations reflect his fear of being compared to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is nearly two decades younger.
On Tuesday, CNBC anchor Joe Kernen revealed Trump had canceled a previously unannounced appearance on the show, a decision that follows a pattern of ducking media engagements. Kernen noted that Harris was also invited but declined to participate.
This marks the second time in less than two weeks that Trump has withdrawn from a major interview. Recently, the former president canceled a scheduled appearance on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” with the network reporting that Trump gave multiple reasons for his absence, including a demand for an apology over a tense 2020 interview.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris has been ramping up her media presence in the final stages of the campaign, appearing on various platforms like the popular podcast “Call Her Daddy” and CBS’ “The View.” On Wednesday, she is set to make her first appearance on Fox News, further highlighting the stark contrast in visibility between the two candidates.
Chris Wallace, who moderated the 2020 presidential debate and now works for CNN, commented on Trump’s avoidance of public scrutiny during an appearance on “The View.” He claimed that Trump is “scared” of being compared to Harris, especially after the last debate where many believe Trump underperformed. Wallace suggested that Trump’s reluctance to engage in interviews stems from his realization that it would elevate Harris and lead to unfavorable comparisons.
“He’s avoiding another debate that could draw tens of millions of viewers,” Wallace said, noting that a side-by-side appearance on platforms like “60 Minutes” would inevitably lead to comparisons. Wallace likened Trump’s current media strategy to President Biden’s approach in 2020, when Biden conducted much of his campaign from home due to the pandemic.
With Trump staying relatively low-profile, questions about his mental and physical fitness are becoming more prominent, especially as Harris continues to be active on the campaign trail. As Election Day approaches, the contrast between their media strategies may play a crucial role in shaping voter perception.
