Just hours after ABC News finalized the rules for next Tuesday’s presidential debate, resolving a final dispute in Donald Trump’s favor, the former president launched an attack on the network. In a Fox News town hall on Wednesday, Trump said, “I think a lot of people will be watching to see how nasty they are, how unfair they are,” hinting at potential friction between him and the moderators during the debate.
The highly anticipated debate, scheduled to take place in Philadelphia, marks the only face-off between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris this fall. Moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, this event is exclusively produced by ABC News, unlike past debates that were organized by a bipartisan commission. The lack of a live audience and ABC’s sole control over the debate production add to the pressure on the network, especially in a polarized political climate.
High Stakes for ABC News
Ben Sherwood, former ABC News president and now CEO of the Daily Beast, likened the debate to “the Super Bowl of politics,” noting the huge responsibility and potential boost in reputation for the network. ABC’s Washington bureau chief, Rick Klein, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, calling it “a humbling responsibility.”
ABC’s decision to continue with the debate followed Biden’s departure from the race, with Harris stepping in as the Democratic nominee. Despite concerns over Trump’s criticism of ABC, Klein said their preparations proceeded with minimal disruption.
An estimated 51.3 million people tuned in for the June debate between Biden and Trump, but Tuesday’s event is expected to draw an even larger audience. Muir, the host of “World News Tonight,” has consistently led evening news ratings for eight years, positioning him as a trusted figure. However, the debate will present a unique challenge as viewers from all political sides tune in for a highly charged political event. Davis, who has a lower profile, will also share the moderator duties.
Challenges for Moderators
The role of a debate moderator is often compared to that of a baseball umpire—effective when they go unnoticed. However, moderating debates involving Trump, known for his sharp and unpredictable responses, has proven difficult in the past. In the first Biden-Trump debate in 2020, Fox News’ Chris Wallace struggled to maintain control as Trump frequently interrupted.
To prevent a repeat, this year’s debate rules include muting a candidate’s microphone when their opponent is speaking, a rule Trump’s campaign supported to minimize interruptions that could alienate voters.
While some moderators, like CNN’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper in the June debate, refrained from correcting misinformation on the spot, ABC’s approach remains to be seen. Klein emphasized that their role is “to facilitate the conversation” between the candidates.
Tensions with Trump
Trump has already criticized ABC News and some of its leading political journalists, including George Stephanopoulos, who was not involved in the debate’s preparations. Additionally, Trump has raised concerns about Harris’s reported connection with Dana Walden, an executive at ABC’s parent company Walt Disney Co. Despite these tensions, ABC has maintained that neither Stephanopoulos nor Walden is involved in the debate.
ABC faces the challenge of remaining impartial while navigating potential attacks from Trump during the debate. His preemptive criticism could set the stage for conflict if he perceives the moderators or the network as biased. As Klein stated, the network’s focus is on “doing our job as well as we can,” even if Trump lashes out during the event.
Pressure on Moderators
Tom Bettag, a former ABC News producer, acknowledged the pressure on Muir and Davis, advising them to stay calm under fire. With the potential for heated exchanges, the moderators will need to remain composed and focused on ensuring the debate runs smoothly.
Tuesday’s debate will be a crucial moment not only for Trump and Harris but also for ABC News, which will be under intense scrutiny to deliver a fair, engaging, and well-moderated event in front of millions of viewers.
