Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticized Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris this week for agreeing to a “softball” interview with CNN, in which she insisted that her vice-presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, be present.

During his “Verdict” podcast, Cruz claimed that the interview was not a genuine one but rather “propaganda,” arguing that the host, CNN’s Dana Bash, is a left-wing partisan.

“It is astonishing that the interview is not Kamala Harris, but it’s Kamala Harris and Tim Walz,” he said. “And presumably, Tim Walz is sitting there so if that Kamala is screwing up, Tim Walz can step in and try to bail her out. I have never seen in my life — I’m 10 years older than you are, I’m 53 — I have never once seen a presidential candidate who was so weak that he or she needed their vice presidential candidate as a safety blanket. That is bizarre.”

The Texas lawmaker also criticized CNN for choosing not to broadcast the interview live and in full.

“They’re going to pre-tape it, and then CNN is going to edit it,” he said. “And I believe, and I think many Americans believe, CNN is going to edit it so if and when Kamala says things that are dumb, if and when she says some word salad, if and when there’s a moment that’s bad, they’ll cut it right out.”

The GOP senator insisted that Dana Bash would need to conduct herself like a genuine journalist during the interview; otherwise, she risked being seen as “a laughingstock,” “a patsy,” “a spokesperson for the Kamala Harris campaign,” or “a total stooge.”