Former President Donald Trump has recently launched a scathing critique against ABC News, accusing the network of breaching a pre-debate agreement by fact-checking his statements during the first presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. This debate took place on September 10, and Trump expressed his discontent while speaking at a campaign event in New York City. He specifically targeted the debate's moderator, David Muir, who challenged Trump's claims about rising crime rates across the United States. Trump argued that Muir’s corrections were unjustified and claimed that Harris was not subjected to the same level of scrutiny during the debate, suggesting a clear bias against him.
During the debate, Trump boldly asserted that crime rates had significantly increased, a statement that Muir countered by saying, “No, no, crime has not gone up.” This moment clearly frustrated Trump, who insisted that his statistics were accurate and representative of the current situation. Reflecting on the debate dynamics, Trump remarked, “I had one against three, but I think we did great,” alluding to the perceived disadvantage he faced due to the moderators’ actions.
Moreover, Trump alleged that a prior agreement established with ABC News stipulated that there would be no fact-checking during the debate, which he feels was violated. He accused the network of engaging in behavior indicative of “bad people” and labeled them as “fake news.” His criticism extended to co-moderator Linsey Davis, whom he dismissed entirely, stating, “I never heard of her. I never want to hear of her. She was terrible. I don’t know how she ever got her job in the first place,” showcasing his disdain for her role in the debate.
The debate, which has garnered considerable attention, saw Trump fact-checked five times throughout its duration, while Harris faced no corrections on her statements. This disparity in moderation has led to frustration among conservative critics, who argue that the moderators exhibited a clear bias, treating Trump with greater scrutiny while allowing Harris to make unchallenged assertions.
In a subsequent appearance on the show “Gutfeld!”, Trump reflected on the debate, revealing a sense of regret for not confronting the moderators more directly during the event. He stated, “I think my only regret is that I wanted to be elegant, and I didn’t want to go after the anchors. I wish I did, in a way,” indicating that he felt restrained in his approach.
As for future debates, Trump remains noncommittal. He indicated that he has not yet confirmed his participation in any upcoming debate, hinting at a CNN debate scheduled for October 23. Trump remarked that this proposed debate might be “too late,” as early voting has already begun in various states. However, he did leave the door open for participation, stating, “Maybe if I got in the right mood,” implying that his decision may hinge on his perception of the debate's potential impact.
Despite Harris expressing eagerness for a rematch, Trump highlighted that she had previously declined debate offers from other networks, such as Fox News and NBC News, which he had accepted before the ABC debate. This context raises questions about her commitment to engaging in further debates. As of now, ABC News has not responded to Trump’s allegations or provided any comments regarding the situation, leaving many questions unanswered as the political landscape continues to evolve.
