Bret Baier, a longtime host of Fox News (a primarily conservative-leaning channel), is known as one of the network's more balanced and non-partisan journalists.
During his 11 years as the anchor of Special Report at 6 p.m., Baier has built a reputation as a reliable, impartial news anchor, known for his straightforward, fact-based reporting.
His approach has led to both praise and skepticism, as some argue that partisanship can subtly influence his reporting. However, the chief political anchor for Fox has not openly declared any political affiliation, and there is no public evidence that he is a Democrat.
Why is Bret Baier's political stance being questioned?
The reason why Baier's political inclinations have come into question is because Baier is set to sit down for an interview with Kamala Harris scheduled for October 16th, 2024, on the Special Report.
This will mark Harris’ first-ever appearance on Fox News, a network widely seen as more favorable toward conservative audiences.
Since Vice President Kamala Harris has not been known to grant interviews to Fox News (because of its right-leaning bias), this rare instance has everyone questioning Baier's political stance.
The upcoming interview with Harris will likely focus on pressing national issues such as the 2024 Presidential election, current administration policies, and other significant political developments. This is a highly anticipated conversation, with many viewers curious to see how Baier approaches it.
Vice President Kamala Harris has been working to appeal to moderate Republicans by adopting more centrist stances on key issues like immigration and foreign policy.
On the campaign trail, she has highlighted endorsements from Republicans such as former Representative Liz Cheney. The upcoming interview presents a chance for Harris to share her policies and perspectives with a conservative-leaning audience, offering her an opportunity to connect with voters, who may not typically support Democratic candidates.
Ian Sams, an adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighted the fact that former President Donald Trump has conducted very few press interviews, mentioning this during an appearance on FOX News Channel's Your World on Monday. He said:
"It's been a month since Donald Trump did a mainstream media interview. We have got to wonder why"
In response to the scheduled Harris interview, Trump posted on his Truth Social account:
"I would have preferred seeing a more hard hitting journalist, but Fox has grown so weak and soft on the Democrats, constantly polluting the airwaves with unopposed Kamala Representatives, that it all doesn't matter anymore"
Baier has a history of interviewing Democratic figures, which adds to his reputation as someone capable of navigating discussions with both Republicans and Democrats.
Previous interviews have included politicians like former President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. His handling of these interviews has earned him respect even from those who might be skeptical of Fox News’ overall approach.
Anticipation and excitement is high for viewers who will eagerly be waiting to see how he will navigate this upcoming rare opportunity. The interview promises to be intriguing, with many wondering what kind of probing questions Baier will ask the Vice President, especially given the current political climate.