‘Excruciating’: Kamala faces brutal grilling

Kamala Harris faced her toughest interview yet during a brutal grilling on 60 Minutes. One exchange left some critics - including Trump - fuming.

Kamala Harris faced intense questioning about her changing political views during a brutal grilling on America’s most-watched news program.

The Democratic presidential candidate had her toughest interview to date during a sit-down with correspondent Bill Whitaker on CBS’ 60 Minutes after a “softball” media blitz.

She was repeatedly called out on questions she failed to answer, with Whitaker at one point stressing “we’re dealing with the real world” in response to her plans to tax the rich more.

But it was one particularly stinging exchange – focused on Republican criticism about her changing stances on key policy issues - that drew backlash online.

Kamala Harris was asked why she had “changed her position on so many things” during a tough sit-down interview. Picture: CBS

“They say that the reason so many voters don’t know you is that you have changed your position on so many things,” Whitaker began.

“You were against fracking, now you’re for it. You supported looser immigration policies, now you’re tightening them up. You were for Medicare for all, now you’re not.

“So many that people don’t truly know what you believe or what you stand for. And I know you’ve heard that.”

Harris responded by pointing out she had spent the last four years travelling the country as Vice President.

“I have been listening to folks and seeking what is possible in terms of common ground. I believe in building consensus. We are a diverse people,” Harris continued.

“Geographically, regionally, in terms of where we are in our backgrounds. And what the American people do want is that we have leaders who can build consensus.

“Where we can figure out compromise and understand it’s not a bad thing, as long as you don’t compromise your values, to find common-sense solutions.”

Trump campaign adviser Tim Murtaugh shared a clip of her response to X, writing: “This might be the worst television interview by a candidate in US presidential history”.

One right-leaning commentator labelled the exchange “excruciating”, while another critic dramatically declared the interview “ended Kamala Harris’ political career.”

Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan touched on the same issue last week.

“She (Harris) hasn’t fleshed out her political intent — what she stands for, what she won’t abide, what she means to establish, what she won’t let happen,” Noonan wrote.

“When things can’t be reduced to their essentials it’s because they’re not real, there’s nothing to reduce. She so far hasn’t conveyed a sense of intellectual grasp.”

CBS’ Bill Whitaker repeatedly called out Harris when she failed to answer his questions. At one point he told the VP: “we’re dealing with the real world here”. Picture: CBS

Trump’s meltdown over 60 Minutes interview

Donald Trump backed out of the 60 Minutes interview, bucking what the program said was a half-century tradition of both US presidential candidates sitting down with the show before an election.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung previously said reports Trump ever agreed to the appearance was “fake news”, claiming 60 Minutes “begged for an interview.”

Harris seized the opportunity to criticise the former president for the last-minute cancellation.

“If he is not going to give your viewers the ability to have a meaningful, thoughtful conversation, question and answer with you, then watch his rallies,” Harris told Whitaker.

“You’re going to hear conversations that are about himself and all of his personal grievances. And what you will not hear is anything about you, the listener.

“You will not hear about how he is going to try to bring the country together, find common ground… that is why I believe in my soul and heart, the American people are ready to turn the page.”

An incensed Trump unleashed on Truth Social on Tuesday morning.

“The Interview on 60 Minutes with Comrade Kamala Harris is considered by many of those who reviewed it, the WORST Interview they have ever seen,” he wrote.

“She literally had no idea what she was talking about, and it was an embarrassment to our Country that a Major Party Candidate would be so completely inept.”

Donald Trump, who pulled out of the 60 Minutes interview last-minute, unleashed on Harris after her sit-down aired. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

‘We’re dealing with the real world here’

Harris was also pressed on how she planned to fund tax cuts to first-home buyers and small businesses during the wide-ranging 60 Minutes interview..

Whitaker cited the nonpartisan Committee for Responsible Federal Budget, which this week estimated her plans could add more than $3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next deficit.

The same analysis found Donald Trump’s plans could cost more than $7.5 trillion.

“My plan is about saying that when you invest in small businesses, you invest in the middle class and you strengthen America’s economy,” Harris told Whitaker.

“Small businesses are part of the backbone of America’s economy,” she restated.

“Pardon me, Madam Vice President, the question was, ‘How are you going to pay for it?’” Whitaker interrupted.

“Well, one of the things I’m gonna make sure,” Harris began, “that the richest among us — who can afford it — pay their fair share in taxes.”

“It is not right that teachers and nurses and firefighters are paying a higher tax rate than billionaires and the biggest corporations. And I plan on making that fair,” she went on.

“But we’re dealing with the real world here,” Whitaker interjected. “How are you going to get this through Congress?”

Harris insisted she had spoken “quietly with a lot of folks in Congress.”

“Congress has shown no inclination to move in your direction,” Whitaker hit back.

Harris said she disagreed, adding: “I am a devout public servant. You know that. I am also a capitalist. And I know the limitations of government.”

Oprah Winfrey said she owned a Glock pistol. It followed an interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she admitted she would shoot anyone who broke into her home. Piture: Paul Loeb/AFP

‘Of course’: Harris admits to firing Glock pistol

Harris also touched on gun control, admitting she owned a Glock semi-automatic pistol and had “of course” fired it on a shooting range.

Speculation has swirled about the US vice president’s weapon of choice ever since she told television star Oprah Winfrey recently that she was a gun owner and that she would shoot anyone who broke into her house.

“I have a Glock, and I’ve had it for quite some time,” Harris said when asked what kind of firearm she packed.

“My background is in law enforcement. And - so there you go,” added the former prosecutor and California attorney general.

Whitaker then asked if Harris had ever fired the Glock. Harris replied with a laugh: “Of course I have. At a shooting range. Yes, of course I have.”

Austrian manufacturer Glock makes one of America’s best-selling handguns.

Widely used by police, Glocks have also attained cult status from their appearance in films and hip-hop culture.

Until recently Harris had rarely mentioned her status as a firearms owner, in line with her party’s emphasis on curtailing access to guns in a country regularly rocked by armed crime and mass shootings.

But in a tight election with Republican Donald Trump, the 59-year-old Democrat has begun to play up her gun-owning credentials.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that Harris wants to confiscate Americans’ guns in violation of the US constitution’s Second Amendment -- including in their only televised debate last month.

Harris fiercely rejected that charge, noting that she and her running mate, Tim Walz, are both gun owners.

“I’m a gun owner,” she then told Winfrey in September. “If someone breaks in my house, they’re getting shot,” she added with a chuckle.

- With AFP