Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has come under increased scrutiny after attending a town hall in which only “pre-approved questions” were allowed.
When asked if attendees could pose questions, former first lady of California Maria Shriver confirmed they could not.
“Are we going to be able to ask a question?” one woman asked.
“You’re not, unfortunately, we have some pre-determined questions,” Shriver said.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to ask some of the questions that might be in your head,” Shriver added.
The announcement led to widespread criticism online, with critics noting that the event was more of a staged production than an actual town hall.
“That’s not a town hall. That’s called a stage production,” one X user said. Harris is “incapable of off the cuff.”
“Some ‘town hall,’” Fox News chief political analyst Brit Hume wrote.
Harris took only three audience questions during the hour-long event.
“Basically, it’s a pep rally,” another X user said.
For Harris, “everything is scripted and nothing will change,” former Donald Trump White House aide Chad Gilmartin said.
“HOLY [expletive]! They’re not even hiding it anymore,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung wrote.
Shriver, who moderated the discussion alongside former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, later described the event as an example of collaboration for the country’s good.
“Today, I bore witness to what coming together for the good of the country looks like — country over party,” Shriver said.
