Former President Donald Trump has expressed concerns regarding his upcoming debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, questioning his participation in the event scheduled for September 10 on ABC News. Trump highlighted what he believes is bias within ABC News and raised issues over various aspects of the debate.
In a social media post on Sunday night, Trump expressed frustration over what he described as a “ridiculous and biased interview” of Senator Tom Cotton by ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, and criticised the network’s panel, which he believes is against him.
Initially, Trump had agreed to face off against President Joe Biden on ABC News. However, following Biden’s decision to end his campaign and Harris assuming the role of the Democratic nominee, Trump attempted to move the debate to Fox News but was eventually compelled to stick with the original arrangement. Despite some back-and-forth, Trump conceded to maintain the previously agreed-upon plan.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump questioned whether he should participate in the debate on ABC. He also took aim at Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, misspelling her name and accusing her of potentially favouring Harris, as well as using a disparaging nickname for ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos.
Trump wrote, “Will panelist Donna Brazil give the questions to the Marxist Candidate like she did for Crooked Hillary Clinton? Will Kamala’s best friend, who heads up ABC, do likewise. Where is Liddle’ George Slopadopolus hanging out now? Will he be involved?”
Trump’s criticism extended to the network choice, wondering why Harris declined debates on other major networks such as Fox News, NBC, CBS, and CNN.
The debate negotiations have been contentious, with both campaigns clashing over dates, venues, and rules. Traditionally, the Commission on Presidential Debates has organised these forums in a standardised, nonpartisan manner. This year’s debates were arranged directly with the networks. The first debate between Trump and Biden was held on CNN on June 27, with the second scheduled on ABC News for September 10.
Earlier, Trump briefly pulled out from the ABC debate but returned after Harris refused to move the event to Fox News. Currently, the Harris campaign is pushing for modifications to the debate rules. Initially, Biden had requested muted microphones when it wasn’t a candidate’s turn to speak. Yet, the Harris campaign is now advocating for microphones to remain live throughout the entire debate.
Brian Fallon, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, articulated that Trump’s team preferred muted microphones because they were worried about his ability to sustain a presidential demeanor for the full duration of 90 minutes.
“ABC offered the exact same debate rules as CNN, and we accepted — as did the Harris camp,” said Trump spokesperson Jason Miller. “Now, after the Harris campaign has begun debate prep, they’re clearly concerned about what they’re seeing from Harris’ performance and want a whole host of rules changes.”
Despite Trump’s objections, the debate moderators have been confirmed as ABC News anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.
In a social media post on Sunday night, Trump expressed frustration over what he described as a “ridiculous and biased interview” of Senator Tom Cotton by ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, and criticised the network’s panel, which he believes is against him.
Initially, Trump had agreed to face off against President Joe Biden on ABC News. However, following Biden’s decision to end his campaign and Harris assuming the role of the Democratic nominee, Trump attempted to move the debate to Fox News but was eventually compelled to stick with the original arrangement. Despite some back-and-forth, Trump conceded to maintain the previously agreed-upon plan.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump questioned whether he should participate in the debate on ABC. He also took aim at Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, misspelling her name and accusing her of potentially favouring Harris, as well as using a disparaging nickname for ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos.
Trump wrote, “Will panelist Donna Brazil give the questions to the Marxist Candidate like she did for Crooked Hillary Clinton? Will Kamala’s best friend, who heads up ABC, do likewise. Where is Liddle’ George Slopadopolus hanging out now? Will he be involved?”
Trump’s criticism extended to the network choice, wondering why Harris declined debates on other major networks such as Fox News, NBC, CBS, and CNN.
The debate negotiations have been contentious, with both campaigns clashing over dates, venues, and rules. Traditionally, the Commission on Presidential Debates has organised these forums in a standardised, nonpartisan manner. This year’s debates were arranged directly with the networks. The first debate between Trump and Biden was held on CNN on June 27, with the second scheduled on ABC News for September 10.
Earlier, Trump briefly pulled out from the ABC debate but returned after Harris refused to move the event to Fox News. Currently, the Harris campaign is pushing for modifications to the debate rules. Initially, Biden had requested muted microphones when it wasn’t a candidate’s turn to speak. Yet, the Harris campaign is now advocating for microphones to remain live throughout the entire debate.
Brian Fallon, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, articulated that Trump’s team preferred muted microphones because they were worried about his ability to sustain a presidential demeanor for the full duration of 90 minutes.
“ABC offered the exact same debate rules as CNN, and we accepted — as did the Harris camp,” said Trump spokesperson Jason Miller. “Now, after the Harris campaign has begun debate prep, they’re clearly concerned about what they’re seeing from Harris’ performance and want a whole host of rules changes.”
Despite Trump’s objections, the debate moderators have been confirmed as ABC News anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.
