The 2024 US Presidential election is heating up, and a recent controversy has emerged regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’s media engagement. Marc Benioff, the owner of TIME magazine since 2018, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his disappointment over Harris’s refusal to grant an in-depth interview with the publication.
Benioff emphasized TIME’s commitment to transparency and highlighted that the magazine publishes interviews in full. He pointed out that every other presidential candidate, including former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, had readily participated in interviews with TIME. This stark contrast raised questions about Harris’s approach to public engagement.
In his posts, Benioff quoted an excerpt from the TIME profile piece, which stated that Harris had declined multiple interview requests. In contrast, Trump had engaged in extensive conversations with TIME reporters, totaling 90 minutes over two interviews, while Biden also participated in similarly lengthy interviews before withdrawing from the race.
Benioff’s public criticism, coming from a figure known for his Democratic party support, has generated significant buzz on social media. Among those reacting was American hedge fund manager and Republican Party supporter Bill Ackman, who echoed Benioff’s sentiment, stating that Harris’s refusal to be interviewed was unprecedented in his lifetime.
This situation has brought to the forefront the importance of transparency in political campaigns and the role of media in holding candidates accountable. While Harris’s campaign may have its reasons for declining the interview, Benioff’s public call-out has sparked debate about the Vice President’s approach to interacting with the public and the media.
