Harris Addresses Ukraine, US Economy, and Gun Ownership on CBS's 60 Minutes
In a recent sit-down with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, US Vice President Kamala Harris fielded questions on key issues including Ukraine, the economy, gun ownership, and the Middle East. The interview aired as Harris increases her media appearances, addressing concerns about her previously low public profile. The timing is significant, as the race for the White House enters its final stretch, with Election Day just weeks away.
Former President Donald Trump was also invited for an interview on 60 Minutes, but declined, continuing his trend of avoiding certain media engagements.
During the interview, Harris discussed US relations with Israel, responding cautiously when asked if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a “strong ally” of the US. Harris emphasized the importance of the broader US-Israel relationship, saying, “The better question is, do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people? The answer to that question is yes.”
On Ukraine, Harris reiterated that she would only engage in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin if Ukraine was included. She criticized Trump’s position on the conflict, calling his claims of being able to resolve the war “on day one” a form of surrender. “If Trump were president today, Putin would already be in Kyiv,” she asserted.
Harris also addressed economic concerns, defending her plans amid scrutiny over how her administration would handle the growing national debt. Her proposals, she explained, focus on strengthening small businesses and raising taxes on the wealthy. This came after a report from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projected that both Trump and Harris’s plans would significantly increase the national deficit, with Trump’s adding $7.5 trillion and Harris’s adding $3.5 trillion over the next decade. Both candidates have been criticized for failing to address the US’s staggering $35.6 trillion national debt.
The conversation also touched on gun ownership, a topic where Harris revealed that she owns a Glock pistol, attributing this to her law enforcement background as a former district attorney. When asked if she had ever used it, she responded with a laugh, “Of course I have, at a shooting range.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, also made an appearance on the program. Walz criticized Trump for his divisive rhetoric and pushed for a more civil discourse in politics. Reflecting on his own past controversies, including false statements about his military service, Walz admitted to occasional mistakes but denied being a liar. “I will own up to being a knucklehead at times,” he said, drawing a distinction between himself and Trump.
Meanwhile, both Harris and Trump took part in events commemorating the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks on Israel. Harris marked the occasion by planting a pomegranate tree at her Washington residence, calling it a “symbol of hope and righteousness.” Trump visited the Ohel Chabad Lubavitch in Queens, New York, wearing a black yarmulke as he paid respects at the gravesite of Rabbi Schneerson, a revered figure in Orthodox Judaism.
Though Trump’s campaign disputed claims that he initially agreed to a 60 Minutes interview, CBS reported that the former president had declined after initially accepting. This echoed a similar incident during the 2020 election when Trump walked out of a 60 Minutes interview, frustrated by questions about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the 2024 election nears, the stakes for both candidates are rising, with every media appearance and public statement potentially shaping the outcome.
