MSNBC host criticizes reporters for complaining about Harris' media shyness, questions if she can succeed without their coverage.

MSNBC co-host Michael Steele criticized the media for complaining about Vice President Kamala Harris' minimal interaction with the press, questioning whether she can effectively communicate with the public without the press.

In a Saturday interview on MSNBC's "The Weekend," Steele defended Harris for mostly staying away from the media since becoming the Democratic nominee and accused reporters of treating former President Trump with kid gloves during his press conference last week.

"Since the press conference, Steele has observed the highbrow nature of the questions directed at Kamala Harris. He believes that the press is whining about her lack of interviews and sit-downs with them. However, Steele notes that when the press starts asking real questions and pressuring Trump, it creates a space of balance."

Despite going 18 days without speaking to the press, Harris is now under pressure to answer questions from the media after only spending two minutes with reporters last Thursday.

Steele questioned whether it would be advantageous for Vice President Harris to conduct any formal interviews until November, given polling indicating her lead in battleground states.

Steele said, "At what point do you say strategically, ‘Why do I need to talk to you right now? I’m talking to the American people and we’re having a conversation. You’re happy to follow it and to report on it,'"

Is there a need for her to seek the approval of the press at this moment, when she appears to be having a productive conversation with the American people?

On Thursday, while campaigning in Michigan, Harris engaged in an informal press conference on the airport tarmac, answering a few questions. When one reporter questioned her about the lack of interviews or formal press conferences since she became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Harris stated that she had discussed the matter with her team and wanted to schedule an interview before the end of the month.

Jasmine Wright, a NOTUS reporter, revealed to MSNBC on Thursday that Harris' past "damaging moments" are being considered by her team as they purposefully keep her away from the media.

Wright stated that the damaging moments when speaking to the press, particularly the first interview Harris did with Lester Holt in 2021 about her work on immigration, were particularly memorable.

A major liberal media outlet published an article urging journalists to ask Harris about her policies so that voters can understand her stance before November.

Jay Caspian King, a staff writer for The New Yorker, stated that Harris' campaign strategy involves avoiding the press and waiting for Trump to make a mistake. However, he argued that it is the media's responsibility to ensure that the Democratic candidate is not allowed to hide before potentially assuming the most powerful office in the world.

In a healthy democracy, it is the press's responsibility to inform voters about the candidates they are supporting. Without scrutiny, a candidate can become anything and be influenced by anyone once they take power, as stated.

On Thursday, Trump conducted a lengthy news conference at Mar-a-Lago, which his campaign characterized as a "stark contrast" to Harris' limited media presence.