Alex Cooper, host of the popular "Call Her Daddy" podcast, defended her decision to interview Vice President Kamala Harris amid election season controversy.
According to Fox News, the interview focused on topical women's issues and was criticized for its timing and the campaign's financial involvement.
The interview, which centered around issues like women's rights following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, highlighted a significant moment in both political and media landscapes. The Harris campaign's investment in the specialized podcast set, reportedly costing a six-figure sum, drew particular attention.
Despite Cooper's podcast's popularity mainly among female listeners, the interview with Vice President Harris did not reach a massive audience, achieving less than 1 million views on YouTube. This contrasts sharply with former President Donald Trump’s appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, which attracted over 50 million views.
Rumors swirled that Kamala Harris had declined an invitation to appear on Rogan's podcast, due to logistical issues including traveling to Rogan's studio in Austin, Texas.
Responding to the critiques about her podcast's engagement in politics, Cooper acknowledged that her audience holds varied political views but felt a strong sense of responsibility to discuss issues directly affecting women. She emphasized the importance of her platform in the current political climate.
Alex Cooper mentioned, "They reached out to me and I recognized that maybe in a different election it wouldn’t be the case and who knows in future elections what I’ll do, but in this specific election, the entire focus is on women’s bodies and we’re losing rights by the day, and so, to have the most popular female podcast, where most women listen to the show in the country, it felt like a no-brainer."
The decision, according to Cooper, stemmed from an obligation to leverage her influential platform to discuss pressing issues, despite potential backlash.
"How as a woman am I not going to do this?" Cooper reflected on her profound connection to the subject matter as justification for her choice.
"Listen, I knew it was going to come. I am very aware that my audience is very split, and I again take that with responsibility. I don’t want to alienate people but I did feel like I had a sense of responsibility, so I kind of, like, didn’t care." This blockquote captures Cooper's awareness of the potential division her political engagement might cause among her audience but also highlights her commitment to addressing significant issues.
While the "Call Her Daddy" interview with Vice President Kamala Harris might not have reached the viewership levels of other political podcasts, it symbolizes a critical interaction between media personalities and political figures in discussing specialized topics such as women's rights. The financial and strategic choices both parties made to facilitate this dialogue underscore the evolving nature of election campaigns and the media's role within them.
Cooper’s choice to partake in this politically charged interview reiterates the ongoing discussions surrounding media influence on public perception and election outcomes.
As political dynamics continue to evolve, so too will the platforms and personalities that engage with them, illustrating the changing landscape where media meets politics.
Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast stands as a testament to these shifts, demonstrating the nuanced responsibilities media figures navigate when engaging with political content.
