Kari Lake Roasts CNN Over Kamala Harris’ 20-Minute Border Visit, Draws Sharp Criticism

Trump-endorsed Senate candidate Kari Lake took the spotlight again on Saturday as she delivered a fiery response to a CNN reporter at a press conference. The event was prompted by Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent brief visit to the southern border in Arizona, which lasted a mere 20 minutes. Harris’ border visit, which has already sparked controversy, was quickly ridiculed by Lake, who sarcastically remarked that it lasted “almost as long as CNN+,” the network’s failed streaming service.

Harris’ visit was aimed at addressing border security, but the brevity of her stop has become a target of criticism from the right. Lake, who is known for her sharp rhetoric against both mainstream media and the Biden administration, seized the opportunity to hammer home the point that the Vice President’s photo op was not nearly enough to grasp the depth of the border crisis.

Lake’s response to the CNN reporter’s question came off the heels of the Biden administration’s struggles to manage the ongoing border issues. When asked about her support for DNA testing of minors at the border to prevent human trafficking, Lake deftly turned the question back on the reporter, questioning if Harris’ 20-minute border appearance could be considered sufficient. In a pointed and sarcastic tone, she remarked, “Do you think a 20-minute visit by Kamala Harris was enough at the border? 20 minutes? I mean, that’s almost longer than CNN+ was around, just a little bit.” The remark landed in the room with both applause and laughter, adding fuel to the ongoing criticism of Harris’ border policies.

Lake didn’t stop there. She emphasized the severity of the border crisis by citing that under the Biden-Harris administration, over 325,000 children have gone missing and are now at a higher risk of human trafficking and exploitation. “We need to do more to protect these children,” she said, referencing President Trump’s previous proposal for DNA testing of minors to verify family connections and reduce trafficking risks. She reinforced that the U.S. must prioritize safeguarding young girls from being trafficked across the border by men posing as relatives.

The CNN reporter, seemingly caught off guard, did not press further, with Lake continuing her criticism of mainstream media’s handling of the border issue. Lake took particular aim at CNN, accusing them of ignoring the real crisis at the border while focusing on superficial political coverage. She pointed to Harris’ visit as a “media stunt” meant to placate liberal audiences rather than address the true scale of the problem. “A photo op isn’t going to fix what’s happening,” Lake stated. “This administration has completely failed at securing our border.”

Lake has a history of going head-to-head with mainstream media outlets, especially CNN, and this weekend’s exchange was no different. Lake is no stranger to harsh words for Harris and other Democratic leaders, but this recent attack was particularly personal as it was targeted not only at Harris but at the credibility of CNN itself.

As Lake prepares for her upcoming Senate debate on October 8, she continues to use such confrontations to build momentum for her campaign. Her ongoing battle with the media and her insistence on calling out the failures of her opponents are playing well among her Republican base in Arizona, which has long been a frontline state for the U.S. immigration crisis.

Lake’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate has attracted national attention, and her bold approach has drawn comparisons to Donald Trump, who has endorsed her run. Lake’s criticism of Vice President Harris extends beyond the border. She often accuses the Biden-Harris administration of lacking transparency, accountability, and solutions for the American people, particularly when it comes to national security and immigration policies. This latest press conference has further solidified her reputation as a media-savvy, no-nonsense candidate willing to push back against both her political opponents and the media outlets she believes are protecting them.

Kamala Harris’ quick visit to the border may have been intended to boost her credibility on the issue, but if Kari Lake’s response is any indication, it has instead provided her political opponents with fresh ammunition. By portraying the visit as an inadequate, superficial attempt at addressing a serious national problem, Lake is doubling down on the immigration issue as a key focus in her campaign against Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego. The Biden administration’s handling of the border remains a contentious topic, and it is clear that Lake and other conservative candidates will continue to make it a central theme in their campaigns.

For Lake, this exchange with CNN is just another chapter in her ongoing media battles. She has used such moments to paint herself as a defender of truth, casting her campaign as a fight not only against Democrats but also against what she views as a biased media landscape. Whether this strategy will propel her to victory remains to be seen, but for now, Kari Lake shows no signs of pulling any punches.