In a heated press conference on Saturday, Trump-endorsed Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake took aim at both CNN and Vice President Kamala Harris, delivering a sharp critique of Harris’s brief visit to the U.S.-Mexico border. Lake mocked the vice president’s 20-minute photo-op at the Arizona border, quipping that it lasted “almost as long as CNN+,” the streaming service that was discontinued just weeks after its launch.
This remark was part of a broader commentary by Lake, who argued that Harris’s short visit was insufficient to address the complex and ongoing crisis at the southern border. Harris, who has been tasked with handling border issues for the Biden administration, spent just 20 minutes at the border during her stop in Arizona on Friday.
Lake questioned how such a brief visit could allow Harris to gather any meaningful information about the situation, stating, “You can’t even get out of the car and back in 20 minutes, let alone understand the depth of the border crisis.”
Lake, a former news anchor herself, is no stranger to media clashes, particularly with CNN. In this instance, she directly challenged the CNN reporter’s questioning on Trump’s immigration policies and DNA testing for migrants. She used the opportunity to highlight the critical issue of human trafficking, noting that the Biden administration’s policies have contributed to a rise in child exploitation. She also called for stronger measures, including DNA testing, to ensure children crossing the border are not being trafficked by adults posing as relatives.
Lake’s response to the CNN reporter mirrored her past confrontations with the network. In a previous interaction with CNN’s Kyung Lah, Lake refused to speak to her, delivering a viral rebuke by saying, “I’ll do an interview with CNN as long as it’s aired on CNN+.” Lake’s boldness has only endeared her further to her supporters, many of whom share her view that the mainstream media is biased against conservative figures like herself and former President Trump.
The border crisis has been a key focal point of Lake’s Senate campaign, and she has positioned herself as a staunch advocate for stronger border security. During the press conference, she reiterated her support for former President Trump’s border policies, emphasizing the need to halt illegal immigration and tackle the issue of human trafficking. She cited alarming statistics, including a Homeland Security report that revealed 325,000 migrant children have gone missing under the current administration, potentially becoming victims of trafficking and exploitation.
Lake’s attack on Harris’s handling of the border crisis comes as she continues her Senate race against Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego, a race that is likely to hinge on key issues like immigration and border security.
Lake also took a swipe at Gallego during the press conference, accusing him of having a scandal-ridden background and criticizing the media for not covering his record. She vowed to bring these issues to light in the upcoming Senate debate, scheduled for October 8.
Lake’s reference to CNN+ was a calculated move, tapping into conservative frustrations with mainstream media outlets like CNN. The streaming service, which CNN launched in 2022, was shut down just a month later due to low subscriber numbers. Lake’s quick jab at CNN+ was a reminder to her supporters of the network’s perceived failures and declining influence.
Lake’s critique also resonates with a broader sentiment among conservative voters who feel that the media has not given fair coverage to issues like the border crisis. Her ability to connect with these voters by taking on the media has become a hallmark of her campaign, and she continues to position herself as a strong voice for those frustrated by the Biden administration’s handling of immigration.
Kari Lake’s fiery exchange with CNN and her scathing remarks about Kamala Harris’s brief border visit demonstrate her continued commitment to making border security a central issue in her campaign.
As Lake seeks to capture Arizona’s Senate seat, she is likely to double down on her border policies and critiques of the media, leveraging these topics to rally support among her conservative base. With the border crisis remaining a critical concern for many voters, Lake’s aggressive stance on immigration could prove pivotal in her bid for the Senate.
