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Did Kamala Harris do a news conference or on-the-record interview in the two weeks after Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race?

By Tom Kertscher
NO

News reports generally confirmed that Vice President Kamala Harris did not take questions from reporters in the 17 days after President Joe Biden ended his campaign, as Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance said Aug. 7, 2024, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

That same day, Politico reported that Harris talked with reporters off the record, but on the record has only spoken "on the tarmac, making statements but not taking questions.”

New York Times columnist Lydia Polgreen wrote on Aug. 7 Harris going on the record "has not happened yet.” Other news outlets made similar reports.

On Aug. 8, Harris answered a few reporter questions. 

Harris’ campaign cited three previous instances in which Harris replied to a shouted question.

Appearing with Biden Aug. 5, the day she officially became the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, Harris spoke to reporters for 45 seconds.

As of Aug. 9 she has not done a news conference.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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