Hot Ones declines Kamala Harris appearance due to political focus, campaign strategist reveals

Kamala Harris’ campaign had attempted to arrange an appearance for the Vice President on the popular YouTube show Hot Ones, but the show’s producers turned down the request, according to Harris campaign strategist Stephanie Cutter. The popular series, hosted by Sean Evans, has featured a wide range of celebrities who endure increasingly spicy hot wings while engaging in light-hearted conversations. However, Cutter explained that Hot Ones did not want to "delve into politics" and therefore opted not to feature Harris, just as they declined an appearance by Donald Trump.

During a recent episode of the Pod Save America podcast, Cutter shared that while Hot Ones is known for its entertaining format, the show's refusal to discuss political topics made it unsuitable for a political figure like Harris. This decision was made despite the fact that Hot Ones has had many famous figures, including Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lawrence, and Ryan Reynolds, as guests.

Cutter also touched on the broader media strategy of Harris' campaign, which had focused more on traditional TV and radio appearances. She noted that despite efforts to engage with nontraditional outlets like Call Her Daddy and Club Shay Shay, Harris’ campaign struggled to reach younger male audiences, a demographic that Trump was able to capture with appearances on podcasts such as The Joe Rogan Experience and Bussin' With The Boys.

Although Harris' campaign considered other options, including a possible appearance on Joe Rogan's show, no interview materialized. Cutter clarified that despite these missed opportunities, she believed the media strategy did not have a major impact on the election outcome.

Hot Ones has been a mainstay in celebrity-driven content since its 2015 debut and continues to feature high-profile personalities across various industries.