close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

ABC debate moderators rage over aggressive fact-checking of Trump, easy treatment of Harris
news

ABC debate moderators rage over aggressive fact-checking of Trump, easy treatment of Harris

ABC News has faced heavy criticism from critics for its aggressive approach to former President Trump and soft treatment of Vice President Kamala Harris during Tuesday’s presidential debate.

The Disney network shocked the nation when debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis repeatedly fact-checked Trump on a range of topics, from crime and abortion to the former president’s past comments about the 2020 election.

“The ABC moderators are fact checking – wrongly! – and in such a shockingly one-sided way, that Trump weathering the ambush as well as he did is a victory,” conservative radio host Buck Sexton responded. “This debate is a total sham, questions are all attacks on Trump, it’s 3 against 1. Outrageous.”

ABC’S LINSEY DAVIS RAISES EYEBROWS WITH ABORTION FACT-CHECK AGAINST TRUMP: ‘COMPLETELY INTERRUPTING HIMSELF’

“So if Trump doesn’t answer the question directly, ABC points out. Kamala will NOT answer any question directly and they let her get away with it,” Outkick host Tomi Lahren noted.

“These debate questions and moderation are breathtaking. Holy s—. I’m not exaggerating. This is unbelievable. Absolutely outrageous,” wrote Ruthless co-host Josh Holmes.

“The ABC News hosts are trying to portray Candy Crowley as a deaf-mute woman,” said author Jerry Dunleavy, referring to the CNN debate host who was infamous for attempting to fact-check Mitt Romney during the 2012 election.

“The wording of every question was appalling. Every question,” wrote Mollie Hemingway, editor of The Federalist.

David Muir, Linsey Davis

Critics criticized ABC debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis for their one-sided treatment of both candidates. (ABC News)

KAMALA HARRIS AND DONALD TRUMP FACE EACH OTHER IN FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE IN PENNSYLVANIA

Some critics specifically criticized Muir for his frequent feuds with Trump.

“David Muir criticizes and attacks Trump more than Kamala,” said journalist Glenn Greenwald. “Kamala can relax because the ABC ‘moderators’ are handling the debate for her.”

“David Muir is running a strong campaign for president,” joked author and activist Christopher Rufo.

Trump and Harris on the debate stage

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (R) and former U.S. President Donald Trump during the second presidential debate at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. (Getty Images)

FOX NEWS TOP TALENT RESPONDS TO ABC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

Others targeted the network as a whole.

“This is a complete disaster for ABC’s credibility,” said Curtis Houck, editor in chief of NewsBusters.

“I’ve been telling you for years how much @ABC hates Republicans…” former “The View” co-host Meghan McCain said.

“3 against 1… This is disgusting,” said Daily Caller correspondent Henry Rodgers.

“ABC/Disney did their best to help VP Harris. It’s amazing how bad the moderators were,” wrote radio host Hugh Hewitt. “Trump could have delayed the election and didn’t. But she’s so awful that she still couldn’t win with both moderators who were so obviously, horribly biased. Neither one won, but ABC/Disney lost half the country.”

harris trump

Screenshot: Fox News simulcast of ABC News Presidential Debate (Screenshot: Fox News simulcast of ABC News Presidential Debate)

The ABC moderators did receive some praise from other members of the liberal media.

“ABC moderators are doing an excellent job,” said MSNBC host Chris Hayes.

“I will say that ABC moderators exceeded expectations. They fact-checked and confronted. It shows how terrible CNN was,” wrote Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin.

“Muir has a talent for delivering confrontational answers in a manner reminiscent of Bob Ross talking about adding a little magenta to a sunset,” said New York Times correspondent Glenn Thrush.

Trump and Harris in debate

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (R) and former U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands during the second presidential debate at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., Tuesday, September 10, 2024. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Trump has been heavily criticized for being continually “fooled” by Harris and the debate moderators.

“Since the crowd size comment, Kamala has been on his mind. Trump falls for it and gets irritated. It’s that easy,” said Tara Palmeri, Puck News correspondent.

“Harris keeps trying to mislead Trump and he keeps spending the first 20 seconds of the response doing so,” wrote Semafor reporter David Weigel.

“Donald Trump is taking every piece of bait and doing exactly what many commentators feared Vice President Harris would do,” said MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend.

“Trump isn’t doing what Harris is doing, which is dodging/spinning his worst pieces into his best or trying to throw Kamala off the rails. Instead, he just keeps litigating on whatever bait Kamala throws at him and ignores his own best issues,” posted Breaking Points co-host Saagar Enjeti.

“You and I can scream all we want about the debate moderators, and they are actively trying to help Harris, but Trump agreed to the debate, took every piece of bait, and uninformed voters are watching this. His indiscipline is helping Harris,” conservative radio host Erick Erickson concluded.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP