Harris’ CNN Interview Backfires, Boosts Trump’s Chances

Kamala Harris’s prospects for a smooth path to the 2024 presidency were dealt a significant blow following her recent CNN interview.

What was meant to highlight her leadership alongside running mate Tim Walz turned into a crucial moment that could impact the election.

According to Newsweek, two prominent bookmakers have revealed that Harris’s chances of winning have noticeably decreased after the interview.

On Thursday evening, Harris was the favored candidate with odds of 10/11 (52.4%), but by Friday morning, her odds had fallen to 19/20 (51.3%), putting her in a tie with Donald Trump, as reported by Star Sports betting company.

During the same period, Trump’s chances of winning increased from 21/20 (48.8%) to 20/21 (51.2%), according to Betfair, a U.K.-based bookmaker.

Harris encountered unscripted questions for the first time in weeks during this interview, a scenario eagerly awaited by her Republican detractors.

During the interview, Harris confidently asserted her commitment to “empowering and advocating for the middle class” if elected, while also supporting the Biden administration’s efforts to “revitalize the economy” in response to what she characterized as Trump’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oof. pic.twitter.com/NCBlrgnnEl

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) August 30, 2024

Star Sports betting analyst William Kedjanyi noted that Harris’s odds have been fluctuating, stating, “Vice President Harris is now tied at 19/20 with Republican candidate Donald Trump, drifting slightly from 10/11 yesterday. The Californian had been 5/6 in recent weeks, but she has failed to surge ahead of Trump in the market.”

On the contrary, supporters of the GOP are likely to find encouragement in this change of momentum, anticipating that Trump will gain an advantage as the election approaches.

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom echoed these sentiments, noting that the betting market had been neck and neck prior to Harris’s CNN appearance. He added, “Momentum is now with Trump, and he has become the odds-on favorite again after being backed into 21/20.”

During her interview, Harris placed a strong emphasis on policy, vowing to address “price gouging” and lower the cost of essential goods.

She also committed to providing a $25,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers and extending the child tax credit by $6,000 for families in their child’s first year.

Harris highlighted the achievements of the Biden administration, including reducing inflation to below 3% and capping insulin expenses at $35 per month for seniors—accomplishments she asserted were not fulfilled by the Trump administration.

In a heartfelt tribute, Harris commended President Biden for his intelligence, dedication, and loyalty to the American people, contrasting these qualities with what she portrayed as a lack of similar attributes in Trump.

When confronted with Trump’s assertion that she “happened to turn Black” for political advantage, Harris dismissed it as part of the “same old, tired playbook,” declining to engage further.