The ABC News moderators faced criticism and praise during the first and possibly only debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in 2024. David Muir and Linsey Davis fact-checked Trump several times, leading to backlash from the former president and his supporters. Trump, after the debate, expressed on social media that he believed it was his best performance, despite feeling outnumbered during the debate.
The debate covered various topics, including economic policy, the situation in Ukraine, abortion, the Capitol insurrection, and Harris’ evolving stances since her 2020 presidential campaign. Trump spoke for 43 minutes and 3 seconds, while Harris spoke for 37 minutes and 41 seconds. Opinions on the moderators’ performance varied widely based on political allegiances.
ABC challenged Trump on statements about abortion, immigration, the 2020 election, and violent crime, but did not correct any of Harris’s statements. CNN, in contrast, did not fact-check the candidates during the previous debate between Trump and Biden in June. Throughout the event, both candidates evaded some questions posed by the moderators.
Online reactions towards ABC’s handling of the debate were mixed, with criticisms and endorsements flooding social media platforms during and after the event. Some praised the moderators for holding Trump accountable, while others accused them of bias in favor of Harris. The split-screen views of both candidates showed contrasting demeanors, with Trump appearing agitated at times, and Harris responding with amusement or disbelief.
The debate’s contentious nature reflected the deeply polarized state of American politics. ABC’s fact-checking approach drew a range of responses, with some commending their efforts and others condemning the alleged bias in the moderation. Despite the criticisms, the debate provided a platform for the candidates to present their views, albeit amidst a backdrop of intense scrutiny and online reaction.
