Trump to Kamala: ‘Step Into the Spotlight’—President Offers Unlikely Advice as Harris Mulls California Governor Run

Aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump offered some unexpected advice to former Vice President Kamala Harris as she weighs a potential run for California governor: “She’s gotta start doing interviews.”

In a candid conversation with OutKick’s Clay Travis, Trump didn’t hold back, suggesting that Harris’s reluctance to engage with the media could hinder her political ambitions. “You can’t get away with it,” Trump said, referencing her and President Joe Biden’s limited media appearances during the COVID-19 pandemic. “He did no interviews, and he got away with it because of COVID. But she can’t do that now.”

The comments come as Harris is reportedly seriously considering a bid for California’s top job. With current Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited in 2026, the race to lead the nation’s most populous—and politically influential—state is already heating up. Harris, a former California senator and attorney general, is seen as a formidable contender, but her presidential campaign struggles, particularly her media strategy, loom large over her potential candidacy.

A Rocky Media History
Harris’s 2020 presidential bid was marred by criticism that she avoided interviews and tough questions. After Biden dropped out and endorsed her, she went 39 days without a single interview before finally sitting down with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in late August. While she later ramped up her media appearances, accusations of dodging hard-hitting questions persisted.

One notable missed opportunity was a potential interview with Joe Rogan, the influential podcaster whose show reaches millions. Rogan claimed Harris’s team tried to impose conditions on the questions he could ask—a stark contrast to Trump, who appeared on Rogan’s podcast and ultimately secured his endorsement.

The California Conundrum
California, the fifth-largest economy in the world, is a political powerhouse, and its governorship is a coveted prize for any Democrat with national aspirations. Newsom, widely seen as a 2028 presidential contender, has set a high bar with his progressive policies and high-profile clashes with red-state governors. Harris’s supporters argue her national experience and name recognition make her a natural fit for the role.

“She would be a great governor,” a former Harris advisor told CBS News. “With her experience at both the state and national level, she can bring strong leadership to California at a time when the state is facing significant challenges.”

But Harris’s critics point to her uneven track record on the campaign trail and her perceived aloofness from the media as potential liabilities. Trump’s advice, while coming from an unlikely source, underscores a broader truth: in today’s hyper-connected political landscape, visibility matters.

A High-Stakes Decision
Harris is expected to announce her decision by the end of the summer. If she jumps into the race, she’ll face a crowded field of ambitious Democrats vying to lead the Golden State. And if she takes Trump’s advice, she’ll need to step into the spotlight—ready to answer the tough questions she once avoided.

As the political world watches, one thing is clear: the road to Sacramento is paved with media appearances, and Harris will need to navigate it carefully. Whether she heeds Trump’s advice or charts her own course, her next move could shape not just California’s future, but her own political legacy.