Wed Sep 18 03:26:53 UTC 2024: ## ABC News Accused of Bias in Presidential Debate, Faces Criticism and Ratings Plunge
**NEW YORK -** A whistleblower’s sworn statement alleging ABC News colluded with the Kamala Harris campaign during the September 10th presidential debate has sparked a firestorm of controversy, leading to plummeting ratings and accusations of election interference.
The affidavit claims that ABC News made numerous assurances to the Harris campaign, including fact-checking Donald Trump while not scrutinizing Harris, providing sample debate questions, and agreeing to arrangements to minimize the height difference between the candidates. These claims have been corroborated by multiple sources, with ABC’s fact-checking of Trump during the debate, the smaller podium for Harris, and the network’s refusal to deny communication with the Harris campaign all being confirmed.
While ABC News has denied providing Harris with any questions beforehand, the whistleblower alleges that the network did provide sample questions covering similar topics. Further, the affidavit claims the Harris campaign was allowed to impose restrictions on the scope of questioning, preventing inquiries about President Biden’s health, Harris’s tenure as attorney general, and her brother-in-law’s alleged embezzlement.
“The Harris campaign had numerous more calls regarding the debate rules without the Trump campaign aware or on the call,” the statement reads, suggesting a pattern of bias. “It was agreed that Donald Trump would be subjected to fact-checking during the debate, while Kamala Harris would not comparable scrutiny.”
The debate’s moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, have defended their performance, with Muir calling the controversy “just noise.” However, Muir’s nightly news broadcast has seen a significant 12% drop in viewership since the debate.
The allegations have prompted widespread condemnation from critics who accuse ABC News of blatant election interference. Many point to the network’s repeated fact-checking of Trump, while overlooking several false statements made by Harris during the debate, as evidence of their bias.
The whistleblower has promised to take further action against ABC News and its affiliates, raising concerns about the potential for future manipulation of news coverage. The ongoing controversy throws a spotlight on the importance of impartiality in political debates and the dangers of media bias in shaping public opinion.
First Piper 