Cooper Discusses Interview
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign spending during the 2024 presidential race is drawing scrutiny after reports revealed a significant investment in media appearances that fell flat compared to President-elect Donald Trump’s massive podcast success.
According to a detailed report from the Washington Examiner, Harris’s campaign, which commanded a $1 billion war chest, allocated substantial funds to high-profile appearances, including a costly production for her interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast. The payoff, however, was underwhelming.
The Harris campaign reportedly spent six figures constructing a set for her October appearance on the popular podcast hosted by Alex Cooper. Filmed in a Washington, D.C., hotel room, the episode garnered just over 813,000 views on YouTube—a respectable number for most podcasts but a far cry from Trump’s staggering 47 million views for his October 25 interview on The Joe Rogan Experience.
The disparity in engagement underscores the differing appeal of the two candidates. While Trump leveraged Rogan’s massive audience and long-form conversational style to amplify his message, Harris’s choice of the Call Her Daddy podcast—known for its candid discussions on relationships and sexuality—seemed ill-suited to attract undecided voters or address policy issues.
🚨 JUST IN: The “Call Her Daddy” podcast host just CALLED OUT Kamala Harris for blowing $100K on a fake set
This is so freaking embarrassing 🤣
“The Harris campaign spent, like, $100,000. My studio that is gorgeous in Los Angeles doesn’t even cost six figures, so I don’t know… pic.twitter.com/nv6bLwmfVb
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 5, 2024
Media analysts have highlighted the importance of podcasts in shaping voter opinions during the 2024 race. Long-form formats like Rogan’s allow candidates to delve into issues and connect with audiences in a more personal way. Trump’s appearance on Rogan’s show not only solidified his base but also reached millions of swing voters, thanks to the podcast’s crossover appeal.
Harris’s campaign, by contrast, struggled to replicate that success. While her team reportedly considered an appearance on Rogan’s podcast, negotiations fell apart when she declined to travel to Rogan’s Austin, Texas, studio. This decision, coupled with the lavish spending on less impactful platforms, has raised questions about the campaign’s media strategy.
In addition to the podcast misstep, the Harris campaign reportedly spent $15 million on event production, including $1 million paid to Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions. Critics argue that such spending reflects misplaced priorities in a campaign that failed to resonate with voters.
Republican strategist Brad Todd offered a scathing critique, telling the Examiner, “Money can’t buy you love or a good candidate.” He emphasized that while advertising plays a role in influencing swing voters, it’s ineffective without a compelling message. “What her campaign was missing was any effort to break with the unpopular administration she has been a part of,” Todd added, referring to the perceived baggage of the Biden-Harris administration.