Fox News anchor Bret Baier has responded to criticism following his recent interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, which drew attention for his frequent interruptions—38 times in just 27 minutes.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Baier acknowledged the backlash but emphasized that he employs a similar approach with various high-profile figures, including former President Donald Trump.
“I understand the criticism,” Baier stated, noting that viewers may have perceived the interview as different. He referenced a previous one-on-one with Trump, who had expressed frustration over Baier’s style, suggesting that such exchanges can provide valuable insights for voters.
An analysis highlighted that Baier interrupted Harris at nearly twice the rate he did Trump, raising eyebrows about his interview techniques. In defense of his approach, Baier argued, “I think those exchanges illuminate things for voters and viewers.”
The interview also faced scrutiny regarding Baier’s handling of Trump’s controversial remarks about using the military to confront “radical left lunatics.” Critics noted that during the interview, a clip was aired from a later town hall with Harris Faulkner, which portrayed Trump in a more moderate light, despite the original comments being made just days prior on Fox News.
Reflecting on this decision, Baier admitted, “I made a mistake and I want to say that I did make a mistake.” He clarified that he intended to highlight a follow-up question from Faulkner but regretted not communicating that more clearly to the audience.
Baier expressed amusement at how the interview was later parodied on Saturday Night Live, featuring Alec Baldwin and Maya Rudolph as himself and Harris. “I laughed out loud several times, and my sons thought it was very cool,” he said, extending an invitation for Baldwin to guest host on Special Report anytime.