Fox News interview with Kamala Harris reaches 7.1 million viewers

Vice President Kamala Harris's combative interview on Fox News averaged 7.1 million viewers on Wednesday, the Democratic presidential candidate's most-watched TV news appearance to date.

The Democratic presidential candidate's conversation with the conservative-leaning network's main political host, Bret Baier, delivered the largest viewership for his show “Special Report” since 2020, according to Nielsen data.

Viewership also surpassed Harris' interview on CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes,” which was seen by 5.7 million people on Oct. 10, and her conversation with anchor Dana Bash on CNN alongside her Minnesota Vice President Tim Walz Attracted 6.3 million viewers on August 29th.

Harris' appearance was highly anticipated as she faces negative comments throughout the day from the vast majority of Fox News commentators.

Earlier Wednesday, Tyrus, a professional wrestler who regularly appears on the Fox News show “Gutfeld!” and The Five predicted that Harris' Republican opponent, former President Trump, is on track for one of the biggest election victories in history, even though nearly every poll shows the two candidates in a tight race.

Harris' appearance on “Special Report” was sharply criticized by hosts Jesse Watters and Sean Hannity in the hours following the interview.

But the Harris campaign agreed to appear on Fox News to reach undecided voters who have concerns about Trump. Fox News, the most-watched cable news channel, has cited research data showing that it reaches large numbers of voters who identify as Democrats or have no political party affiliation.

Walz has appeared on “Fox News Sunday” for the past two weeks.

Harris was criticized by commentators at Fox News and other networks for agreeing only to appearances on media outlets that supported her candidacy, although she appeared on “60 Minutes” while Trump canceled his scheduled session on the same show. Trump also said he would not attend a presidential debate moderated by Baier and his Fox News colleague Martha MacCallum.

Baier aggressively questioned Harris about the current administration's immigration policies and pressed her to outline her differences with President Biden, who dropped out of his re-election campaign in July.

The confrontational exchange on “Special Report” offered a stark contrast to a town hall-like program shown earlier in the day on Fox News featuring Trump. The event, taped in Georgia on Tuesday, took place before an audience that was largely supportive of the former president and did not face hostile questioning.

Baier interrupted Harris several times during the interview, prompting criticism from some experts. The moderator later said he was trying to keep the vice president from wasting time with long answers.

The Harris campaign agreed to a 25- to 30-minute recorded interview, which took place in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, and aired in its entirety without editing. After the interview aired, Baier described how Harris aides forcefully signaled to him to stop as soon as the deadline was reached.

But some Harris allies and critics believed the appearance was a success because it showed the candidate was willing to stand up to tough questions.

“Fightish interviews can be good,” “Pod Save America” host Jon Favreau wrote on X. “Going on Fox can be good.” You just have to be prepared (she was) and stand your ground (she was !).”

“The left is furiously denouncing Bret Baier for interrupting Kamala Harris and being rude,” conservative commentator Erick Erickson wrote on X. “That tells me everything I need to know.” Kudos for having Harris on Fox News is there.”