Former President Donald Trump recently backed out of an interview with CNBC, making it the second mainstream press interview he has canceled this month. Joe Kernen, the co-anchor of “Squawk Box,” revealed the sudden cancellation during a broadcast, stating that Trump had intended to appear but decided against it. The network had also extended an invitation to Vice President Kamala Harris, but she declined. A Trump campaign official cited a scheduling conflict as the reason for pulling out of the CNBC interview, as the former president plans to be in Michigan on the day of the interview.
This decision comes shortly after Trump canceled an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes” with Scott Pelley. Instead of engaging with mainstream media outlets, Trump has been focusing on conservative platforms like Fox News, Newsmax, and Real America’s Voice. He is scheduled to participate in town halls with Fox News and Univision, aiming to speak to his supporters in a more friendly environment. According to a Harris campaign spokesperson, Trump’s avoidance of mainstream interviews is due to his fear of being held accountable and reluctance to answer challenging questions.
With no more debates scheduled before the November election, both Trump and Harris are concentrating on connecting with undecided voters through unconventional channels such as podcasts. Harris has also agreed to her first-ever interview on Fox News, agreeing to speak with anchor Bret Baier on an episode set to air soon. The cancellation of the CNBC interview suggests a pattern of Trump avoiding interviews with journalists who may hold him accountable, instead choosing to engage with outlets that are more favorable to him.
It is notable that Trump’s decision to back out of the CNBC interview could be interpreted as a reluctance to engage in discussions that may challenge him. His avoidance of mainstream press interviews and tendency to favor conservative outlets indicate a strategic move to control the narrative and reach his base of supporters. This behavior may reflect a broader trend of politicians using media appearances to communicate with specific audiences and avoid questioning from journalists who may be more critical.
In light of these recent cancellations, it is evident that Trump and his campaign team are carefully selecting which interviews and appearances to participate in, opting for those that align with their messaging and agenda. By backing out of interviews with mainstream media outlets, Trump may be avoiding potential scrutiny and challenging questions while maintaining control over the narrative of his campaign. The decision to prioritize appearances on conservative platforms suggests a strategic approach to reaching his base and communicating his message to supporters.
