Topline
Podcast host Alex Cooper interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris on her popular “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Spotify’s second-biggest podcast which has a large audience of women listeners, drawing criticism from some of Cooper’s conservative-leaning listeners.
“Call Her Daddy” host Alex Cooper interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday. (Photo by … [+] Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQ)
Key Facts
Cooper, who said she understands she has a politically diverse audience, appeared to preemptively address criticism by stating she had invited former President Donald Trump to the podcast, implying he declined or did not respond by saying he is welcome to make an appearance any time he wants.
Cooper’s choice to interview Harris on Sunday was met with thousands of comments from her followers on TikTok and Instagram, some of whom slammed her decision and announced they’d no longer listen, while others praised her for securing an interview with the vice president.
“I no longer feel comfortable tuning in,” one comment liked thousands of times states, a nod to Cooper’s comment in her TikTok video where she explained her choice to invite both Trump and Harris to her podcast was because she wanted her show to be a comfortable space for people of all political affiliations.
Radio host Clay Travis and other commenters slammed Cooper and Harris for suggesting there are no laws that govern male bodies, claiming the military draft would count as such a law.
Some listeners suggested Cooper should interview women like Melania Trump or Candace Owens, while others criticized Harris for appearing on a podcast days after Hurricane Helene caused more than 200 deaths and left others missing.
“Regardless of political affiliation, getting the VP on your podcast is amazing,” one comment liked more than 61,000 times states, one of many supportive comments left under Cooper’s TikToks and Instagram posts, some of whom said they are now new listeners to Cooper’s podcast.
How Big Is “call Her Daddy”?
“Call Her Daddy” has ranked as Spotify’s second-biggest podcast, only behind Joe Rogan’s “Joe Rogan Experience,” for the past two years. Spotify also says it is the biggest podcast for women on its platform. “Call Her Daddy” ranked as the fourth-biggest podcast across all platforms for the second quarter of 2024, according to Edison Research, behind Rogan, “Crime Junkie” and The New York Times’ “The Daily.” Cooper also has a significant social media following, with 2.4 million followers on her “Call Her Daddy” Instagram account and 3.9 million followers on the podcast’s TikTok. Cooper regularly hosts high-profile celebrity guests on her podcast, including Simone Biles, Post Malone and Katy Perry. Cooper has also raised her podcast’s profile through media appearances, including a stint as a host at the Paris Olympic Games this summer for NBC. Her podcast has been highly sought after by streaming services: SiriusXM spent $100 million on the rights to her podcast in August, three years after Spotify paid $60 million for exclusive rights.
Does “call Her Daddy” Have A Conservative Fanbase?
Though it’s unclear how much of Cooper’s listening base is made up of conservatives, Cooper said she has a “very mixed audience when it comes to politics” prior to her Harris interview, acknowledging she seldom talks about politics to make her podcast a welcome space for all listeners. Cooper, however, has previously spoken out in favor of abortion rights. In one “Call Her Daddy” episode released in October 2022, Cooper spoke with women who had to travel from states with restrictive abortion laws to other states to receive care, which she said was to highlight the impact of anti-abortion legislation on women. She also criticized the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Cooper’s podcast also exploded in popularity after it was acquired in 2018 by Barstool Sports, the media company founded by Dave Portnoy known for its conservative-leaning audience that Politico called “Barstool Republicans.”
News Peg
Cooper released her interview with Harris on Sunday, in which she largely asked the vice president questions about women’s issues, including reproductive rights. Harris slammed state laws she called “Trump abortion bans” and dismissed Trump’s claim that he would be a “protector” for women as president. She also addressed comments made by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, last month in which she said Harris does not have biological children to keep her “humble.” Harris said she feels “sorry” for Sanders, stating many women are “not aspiring to be humble” and “have a lot of love in their life, family in their life and children in their life” who lift them up.
Crucial Quote
“I couldn’t see a world in which one of the main conversations in this election is women, and I’m not a part of it,” Cooper said, defending her decision to interview Harris despite her politically mixed audience, as well as her choice to center their conversation around women’s issues.
Tangent
Cooper ranked No. 12 on Forbes’ list of the top-earning creators of 2023, with estimated earnings of $20 million. She was also included on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2022.
What To Watch For
Harris’ “Call Her Daddy” interview was one of several media appearances she has scheduled for this week. Also this week, Harris will appear on “The View,” “60 Minutes,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and Howard Stern’s radio show.
Further Reading
Harris blasts Arkansas governor’s comments about her lack of biological children (NBC News)
Forbes Top Creators 2023 (Forbes)
