Vice President Harris is making a series of noteworthy media appearances this week, aiming to connect with a wide variety of audiences across popular news and entertainment platforms.
On Tuesday, she is scheduled to appear on ABC’s The View, The Howard Stern Show, and CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Additionally, on Thursday, she will participate in a Univision Town Hall event in Nevada.
Recently, Harris engaged in a significant interview with CBS News’s Bill Whitaker on 60 Minutes and a candid discussion with podcast host Alex Cooper for the show Call Her Daddy, which aired on Sunday.
This arrangement of media appearances is strategically focused on reaching voters as many states begin the voting process and Election Day approaches.
“Vice President Harris is seizing this opportunity to reach voters where they are,” said a campaign official, emphasizing the importance of connecting with younger demographics crucial to the election outcome.
Targeting Young Voters
Notably, since 1968, major party candidates have appeared on 60 Minutes, a show known for its older audience and significant reach. In a groundbreaking move, Harris’s interview with Cooper marks the first time a presidential candidate has appeared on Call Her Daddy, a podcast that has captivated a large female audience, with nearly 80% of listeners under 35, according to recent research.
Despite the podcast’s focus on celebrity interviews and personal discussions rather than politics, Harris is leveraging this platform to engage younger voters.
“I think you and your listeners have really got this thing right, which is, one of the best ways to communicate with people is to be real,” she expressed during the interview.
During the 40-minute conversation, Harris emphasized the need to protect abortion access, targeting millennial and Gen Z voters, who historically have lower turnout rates than older generations.
Cooper boasts a massive online following, with over 11 million followers across her social media accounts, making her platform politically impactful. Additionally, Call Her Daddy has a diverse audience; nearly half identifies as Democrats, while a quarter are Republicans and 20% are independents.
The majority of Cooper’s audience resides in the South—home to pivotal swing states like Georgia and North Carolina—making it an influential demographic for Harris’s campaign.
This is not the first time Harris has sought to engage with non-traditional media outlets. Last month, she was featured on the sports podcast All the Smoke, which caters to Black men.
Shifting Media Strategies
These strategic choices reflect a broader trend in political campaigning. Former President Trump has similarly emphasized outreach through influencers and podcasts to connect with younger voters.
Recently, Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have engaged with prominent influencers and participated in podcasts tailored to younger, male audiences, including high-profile conversations with well-known figures like Logan Paul and Theo Von.
