Howard Stern is very upset with “Saturday Night Live” for gently mocking Kamala Harris – Megyn Kelly

Tuesday may have been the busiest day of Kamala Harris' abbreviated presidential bid — at least in terms of media appearances. The Democratic candidate was in New York City to visit the ladies of The view before we continue The Howard Stern Show and finally stop by Late Night with Stephen Colbert.

All the interviews were friendly — if not flattering — but it was Harris' conversation with Stern that showed how paralyzed some on the left are by Donald Trump's third candidacy.

On Wednesday's show, Megyn was joined by Batya Ungar-Sargon, author of Second classto discuss the vice president's conversation with Stern and what it showed about how the left and right are approaching the 2024 election.

Star is scared

Stern has been open about the fact that he votes for Harris and opposes Trump at all costs. That would probably explain why the appearance essentially served as an opportunity for the vice president to run through her talking points uninterrupted. She even compared her “interview” to “therapy,” even though her media campaign – which included it – showed no end Call her dad And 60 minutes – was controversial.

While the back and forth may have been liberating for the contestant, the shock jock was admittedly a bundle of nerves.

STERN: …What you have undertaken is extremely difficult. And I mean, do you feel the pressure of the moment in the sense that, for example, when I met you out in the hallway, I said, “I'm really nervous because I want things to go well for you.” “That the country is doing well.” Even when I look at her Saturday Night Live where Maya Rudolph plays you. I hate it. I don't want you to be made fun of… There's too much at stake. I believe in the entire future of this country. I mean, as America, land of the free, home of the brave, I think it's literally at stake…

Megyn said the fears Stern described were not unique. “He's very scared … and I hear that from a lot of my Democratic friends,” she said. “They are afraid that Trump will win again. They’re afraid of Trump.”

Republicans, meanwhile, are “afraid of what will happen to the country if they win,” Megyn added. And she said the contrast between the two sides couldn't be greater.

The “split narratives”

On the one hand, “Trump stands up after being shot with the message 'Fight, fight,' and there's the head of the Teamsters union (Sean O'Brien) saying during his speech at the RNC that he's 'a tough guy.' '” Megyn explains. “And on the left there is a real fear that she will be ridiculed Saturday Night Live. The split narratives are crazy.”

While SNL was praised for at least poking fun at Harris and her running mate Tim Walz this election cycle, Ungar-Sargon said they were treated with gloves. “First of all, the portrayal of her SNL is so flattering. It's such an excuse to make fun of her. All the jokes are flattering and nice,” she noted. “You are so careful. It’s so gross.”

This is especially true, she said, when compared to the treatment of the right and even Joe Biden. “Not only is it a stark contrast to the way they portray Republicans, but — now that Biden is no longer on the list — he is the butt of their jokes.”

In her view, it speaks to the power dynamic. “They are not afraid to insult Biden because basically all of their portrayals of people with power on their minds are incredibly flattering,” Ungar-Sargon concluded. “The whole pretense that this is about a power grab is a joke.”

You can watch Megyn's full interview with Ungar-Sargon by tuning in to Episode 911 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you want to listen. And don't forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM's Triumph (Channel 111) weekdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET.