VIEWERS have slammed David Muir for attacking Donald Trump during his first debate against Kamala Harris.
Muir moderated the debate along with Linsey Davis, however, viewers argued on social media that the duo was ganging up on the former president.
ABCDavid Muir has been slammed for attacking former President Donald Trump during his debate against Kamala Harris[/caption]
Viewers say Muir is ‘carrying’ Vice President HarrisReuters
One person said the moderators were ‘handling’ Trump for HarrisEPA
ReutersMuir moderated the debate along with Linsey Davis – both were criticized for their performances[/caption]
“This is a historically terrible moderation performance thus far from David Muir and Linsey Davis,” Newsweek editor Josh Hammer wrote on X.
Former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard described the debate as “three vs one.”
“The ABC moderators clearly shilling for Kamala Harris,” she wrote.
Another person wrote: “Didn’t realize @DavidMuir was actually the Democratic nominee.”
Journalist Glenn Greenwald said that Harris can “relax” while onstage because the moderators were “handling the debate for her.”
“David Muir is criticizing and attacking Trump more than Kamala is,” wrote Greenwald.
One person shared a humorous gif that appeared to show Muir carrying Harris on a battlefield against Trump.
“David Muir carrying Kamala Harris through the debate,” the post read.
Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, described the debate as a “tag team match” against Trump.
UNFAIR FACT-CHECKING
Viewers said Muir and Davis were quick to fact-check Trump on his statements but didn’t give the same energy when Harris made incorrect statements on Trump’s views regarding IVF.
Harris said that Trump was against in vitro fertilization, however, the former president was quick to say that he has spoken out in favor of the procedure when it faced bans at the state level.
“ABC is making a huge mistake trying to fact-check this live,” said former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer.
“They’re only proving how biased they are. Harris fabricated an attack on Trump over IVF. ABC sat there and said nothing.”
Another viewer called out the network for not fact-checking Harris when she spoke of Trump’s supposed support for Project 2025 – which he has routinely denied being involved with.
“The moderators didn’t fact-check Kamala Harris on Project 2025. The moderators didn’t fact-check Kamala Harris on IVF,” wrote author Abigail Shrier.
“They just fact-checked Trump for the fourth time.”
Meanwhile, Trump had a back-and-forth with Muir after the former president repeated bizarre conspiracy theories about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, after being asked about border security.
“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in,” Trump said when asked about immigration policies during the Biden administration.
What is Project 2025?
Project 2025 has gained widespread attention during the 2024 presidential election race.
The project is a collection of conservative and right-wing policy proposals meant to reshape the United States federal government.
These proposed policies aim to consolidate executive power but rely on the Republican Party candidate winning the 2024 presidential election.
According to Project 2025, it will be built on four pillars: a policy agenda, personnel, training, and a 180-day playbook.
The 922-page project makes several policy proposals including reshaping the powers of the executive branch, according to The Hill.
The project, also known as the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, also calls for the removal of several small government agencies.
Although Trump has backed several of the proposed policies in his 2024 campaign speeches, he has also distanced himself from Project 2025.
In July 2024, Trump insisted he had nothing to do with it.
His campaign said in a statement, “Reports of Project 2025’s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign — it will not end well for you.”
“They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”
Harris laughed and shook her head as Trump continued his rant.
Muir, quickly fact-checked Trump, saying the city manager in Springfield determined there were “no credible reports” of migrants harming pets in the city.
When Harris’ mic turned back on, she said, “Talk about extreme.”
AFPSecond Gentleman Doug Emhoff joined Harris onstage after the debate[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
