Former President Donald Trump lashed out at ABC News, accusing the network of rigging Tuesday’s presidential debate and labeling it a “dishonest news organization.” In an early morning call to Fox & Friends on Wednesday, Trump expressed frustration with the moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, accusing them of unfairly fact-checking his arguments while giving Vice President Kamala Harris a pass.
“It was 3-to-1, it was a rigged deal as I assumed it would be,” Trump told Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade when asked about his debate performance, which has been widely panned, including by conservative pundits. Trump argued that the moderators focused on correcting him while ignoring inaccuracies from Harris. “Every time I spoke and my stuff was right, they would correct [me],” Trump said, adding that he felt Harris was not held to the same standard.
Trump also criticized what he described as a media bias in favor of Harris, claiming the press had consistently provided her with favorable coverage. “When you looked at the fact they were correcting everything and not correcting with her… the press is so dishonest in this country it’s amazing,” he said. He pointed to several instances, such as his remarks on Charlottesville, that he claimed were wrongly fact-checked by ABC News.
Despite his grievances, Trump insisted that he performed well under the circumstances. “I thought I did a great job. It was 3-on-1,” he said, referencing the moderators and Harris. “That’s okay, I have had worse odds in my life. I have had it before. But never so obvious.”
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) didn’t mince words when describing former President Donald Trump’s performance in Tuesday night’s presidential debate, calling it a “disaster.” Speaking to The Bulwark’s Tim Miller in the post-debate spin room, Graham expressed disappointment in Trump’s preparation and suggested the former president fire his debate team.
“He appeared unprepared,” Graham said, echoing the sentiments of commentators across the political spectrum, many of whom declared Vice President Kamala Harris the clear winner of the debate in Philadelphia. Trump, known for his sharp exchanges, struggled to land his usual blows as Harris baited him into defensive responses, leading many to question his debate strategy.
Graham was not alone in his criticism. Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume also weighed in, saying, “Let’s make no mistake. Trump had a bad night. We just heard so many of the old grievances that we all know aren’t winners politically.”
A voter panel on Fox News overwhelmingly declared Vice President Kamala Harris the winner of the debate, criticizing former President Donald Trump for what many saw as a lack of strategy in his performance. The debate, which marked the first face-off between Harris and Trump, came just under two months before election day.
According to a focus group conducted by Fox News Digital, a majority of voters—12 out of 17—felt that Harris outperformed Trump. The panel, which included Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, largely pointed to Trump’s struggle to land new attacks on Harris, as well as his reliance on familiar rhetoric from past campaigns.
“Trump was so bad, he’s just like an old suit from like 1987 right now. He just repeats himself,” one participant said, capturing the frustration of several voters who accused Trump of failing to adapt to a new political opponent. Another voter remarked, “He is still in his head basically trying to run against Joe Biden,” a sentiment echoed by others who believed Trump was recycling old campaign lines.
While Harris was generally praised for her performance, the focus group noted that she was not without her own weaknesses. Several participants pointed out that while she was skilled at appealing to voters’ emotions, she fell short on specifics when it came to policy. “She knows how to pull at your heartstrings… but she wasn’t very specific when asked certain things,” one voter observed.
Bill O’Reilly, the conservative commentator and former Fox News host, offered a critical assessment of Tuesday night’s debate, declaring that “nobody” emerged victorious and accusing former President Donald Trump of pandering to his base. O’Reilly’s remarks came during a post-debate analysis on NewsNation, where he argued that Trump quickly “descended” into controversial and unfounded claims, including a bizarre conspiracy about migrants eating pets.
“Nobody won the debate. Trump made the mistake of talking to his base,” O’Reilly told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo. O’Reilly referred specifically to Trump’s mention of a false conspiracy theory, claiming that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are stealing and eating people’s pets. “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” Trump said during the debate, a claim that has been debunked by The Associated Press, which reported no evidence to support it.
O’Reilly found the moment particularly ridiculous, comparing it to a skit on Saturday Night Live. “Donald Trump was foolish at times. He won the first half hour of the debate, but then he descended as he always does and I don’t know why,” O’Reilly said. “He talked about migrants eating dogs and cats. That’s something Saturday Night Live would do. Why would you even bother to do that?”
O’Reilly also criticized ABC News for what he described as backward-looking questions aimed at Trump. He argued that the debate focused too much on Trump’s most controversial moments, such as the January 6 Capitol riot and his continued promotion of 2020 election conspiracy theories. “To go back and try to relitigate for, what, the 8,000th time election 2020? I mean, Ms. Harris is right when she says, hey, we need somebody to look ahead, we got to get out of this, this is four years,” O’Reilly commented.
CNN anchor John Berman hailed Vice President Kamala Harris’s performance in her first debate against former President Donald Trump as an “absolute stunner,” lauding her ability to lay strategic traps that Trump “jumped in bigly.”
During Wednesday morning’s edition of CNN News Central, Berman recapped the debate, underscoring the consensus that Harris dominated the stage. “An abs-olute stunner of a presidential debate! And now the question: will there be another?” Berman asked, as he described how Harris masterfully provoked Trump and took advantage of his weaknesses.
“Harris laid the traps — Donald Trump jumped in bigly!” Berman said, adding that the debate unraveled for Trump from that point forward.
Citing various reviews, Berman emphasized the overwhelming judgment from political analysts and media outlets that Harris had outmaneuvered Trump. Punchbowl News noted, “Harris triggers Trump. And it unraveled from there,” while The Wall Street Journal editorial board remarked, “The president let her rattle him. She won the debate.”
The New York Times praised Harris for targeting Trump’s ego, saying, “Kamala Harris craftily exploited her opponent’s biggest weakness, not his record, not his divisive policies, not his history of inflammatory statements. Instead, she took aim at a far more primal part of him: his ego.”
Berman also referenced a colorful review by conservative commentator John Podhoretz, a former speechwriter for Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, who remarked, “He cleaned his own clock. And when he didn’t, she cleaned his clock. And when she didn’t, Muir and Davis cleaned his clock. In the end, his clock was cleaned.”
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie harshly criticized former President Donald Trump’s debate performance, calling it a “total fail” and praising Vice President Kamala Harris for her strong showing. Appearing on ABC’s post-debate analysis, Christie argued that Trump was inadequately prepared, while Harris delivered a polished and strategic performance.
“She was exquisitely well prepared,” Christie said of Harris. “She laid traps, and he chased every rabbit down every hole. Instead of focusing on what he should have been talking about.” Christie went further, suggesting that whoever handled Trump’s debate prep should be dismissed, saying, “He was not good tonight at all.”
Christie also emphasized that Harris appeared presidential throughout the debate, a crucial factor as she seeks to solidify her position as the 2024 Democratic nominee. He warned that Trump risks losing the election if he doesn’t make significant adjustments.
“Donald Trump spent more time talking about people eating pets, people at his rallies, and whether he had more or fewer attendees than she did, instead of focusing on the economy,” Christie said. “That is a huge fail tonight. Kamala Harris is now being seen by a lot of voters as a potential president. Trump had better get to work, or he’s going to lose this election.”
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13 Responses
At this point I’m trying to think about what’s Hashem’s plan – which is the only one that counts…
I’m hoping Hashem is giving them false hope so that they don’t go total mob-style, (like they did last time)…
She craftilly laid the bait in the traps and he went for it: bait hook and sinker! Totally unexpected! Trump was not good. To some degree he looked like Brandon did at the last debate: LOST.
He was constantly defending himself. Clearly improperly prepared.
While listening intently to the questions asked and answers given, I came to the conclusion that President Trump was in a debate with an establishment, and not with a candidate.
Many articles were written in favour of Trump and against the moderators. Moderators are not supposed to take sides and attack as was done to Trump. Many hold that Trump won because he was very clear on his policy. Harris ignored all policy questions and changed the subject. When she didn’t then the moderators did it for her. Also Trumps vice president pick Vance came on abc afterwards and was way more impressive than Harris and her crazy pick together.
Anyone can go on the RCP site and see many articles written in favour of Trump and against Harris and ABC who showed their hate from before the debate even started. Any one with minimum brains can see for themselves.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/
Megyn Kelly: I’m Ashamed Of The ABC News Debate Moderators, “Mr. Trump, Do You Have Any Thoughts On How Terrible You Are?”
Posted By Tim Hains
On Date September 11, 2024
Megyn Kelly comments on the moderators’ performance at Tuesday night’s presidential debate:
MEGYN KELLY: I’m disgusted. I’m ashamed of those moderators at ABC News. They did exactly what their bosses wanted them to do. The person who runs ABC News is a close personal friend of Kamala Harris and is responsible for Kamala Harris and her husband meeting. They did Dana Walden’s bidding tonight. It was three against one on that debate stage this evening.
Hi, everyone. I’m Megyn Kelly. A special program tonight for you, reacting to the debate. It was three against one. It’s very easy to look like you know what you’re doing when both moderators are entirely on your side. Trump did the best he could under the circumstances, but it really was like three fighters in the ring pummeling one opponent, and Trump tried to take them all on. He did fine. He did the best he could. He was thrown off a few times, to the point where he was unnecessarily defensive and getting angry. And so was I. Were you?
This was a mistake to trust ABC News with this debate. The Republicans must learn from this mistake the same way the Democrats never, ever agree to do anything with moderators they don’t entirely trust. This should be the last time the Republicans ever do this because those two moderators tried to sink Donald Trump tonight.
The numerous fact-checks on what he said and none on what she said — none. I don’t remember a single fact-check of anything she said, and she lied repeatedly. She just got away with it in the moderators’ eyes. That was Donald Trump’s job to fact-check her. That’s correct, except you didn’t employ that same tactic when it came to Trump. And you accused him of lying, even when it was just your opinion that he lied.
When Trump tried to say that his comment that he lost 2020 by a whisker was him being sarcastic, David Muir actually interjected, saying, “I didn’t hear sarcasm.” Who gives a shit what you heard? Who died and left you political analyst-in-chief? You’re supposed to be the objective news anchor of *World News Tonight.* That’s a comment you make to your significant other, David, not in the debates. “It didn’t sound like that to me.” Shut up. That is inappropriate. It’s not for you to make that call. Leave it up to Kamala Harris, leave it up to people like me who will play the sound bite and let the audience decide. But you were out of line, and they did it to him over and over and over again.
The worst part of all of this is the obvious tactic by ABC News, which was as follows: “Mr. Trump, you said something incredibly controversial and terrible. Let me remind you of what it was. Do you have any regrets or thoughts on how terrible you were?” Trump answers. “Vice President Harris, how bad is Trump?” And then she’d answer. It happened over and over again. That was the format. “Mr. Trump, you’re a piece of shit. Kamala Harris, isn’t he a shit?” Thank you. It was incredible. And then anything Trump said, fact-check, fact-check, fact-check, and their fact-checks were full of shit.
I’m swearing even more than normal right now because I’m mad. I’m angry. I’m angry at them, at ABC, at my industry that I want nothing to do with. And I’ve never been happier to be outside and be able to say how I truly feel—and yes, even with some colorful words because that’s what the situation calls for. They’re trying to steal this election. They are openly working to sink him.
I think it was so bad, their bias against him and toward her, that it’s going to backfire. I actually think the American public is going to see through this, and there’s probably going to be some empathy for Trump.
JUST AN EXAMPLE! There are many more articles
YWN made a “kuntrus” of all the articles in the press against Trump. Now they should do the opposite to present a fair picture to the public. There are a lot now to nosh from and the Tzibbur will see 2 sides.
Trump needs to stay calm, professional and level headed and not go unhinged if he wants to gain votes. Going unhinged is going to cost him votes.
The former president showed very poor impulse control and was unable to stay on topic. Not unusual. A seasoned experienced prosecutor against a convicted criminal who hasn’t an original thought. Realistically he won’t get better as he ages.
So this so a FOX NEWS FLASH
Independent voters surprise pollster with reactions to Trump’s debate performance: ‘Didn’t expect it’!
Yet somehow ywm has a headline about everyone thinks Trump is toast…. Proved yourself again yywn.
This is such nonsense. Nobody is changing their minds because of these debates. It’s basically cringe worthy entertainment for the masses. It just proved to me, once again, that the media will do anything and everything to make Mr. Trump look bad. Facts don’t matter to Harris and her evil minions. I say, no more debates, waste of time, effort and money.
Why in the world did trump agree to have the debate on ABC ??? Insane Donald. Where rae his advisors ???? Or he just doesn’t obey them ????
A debate should come with giving both canidates an opportunity to choose a moderator.
Trump didnt prepare because he is full of himself and thought he will win be it what it is.
Anyway, the debate won’t make a big differnce, it wasn’t a knockout by Harris. He jsut shouldn’t have another debate.
The substance of the debate itself in some respects takes a back seat to how each candidate talks about the issues. Voters in most cases by now know the various claims and talking points of each campaign, and so they are watching to see who comes across as most capable of doing the job of president.
For this reason, while the corporate media will heap praise on Harris, viewers in suburbs and small towns throughout the country likely have a far different impression of her performance.
For example, as Fox News observed, social media users were quick to drag Harris for her exaggerated facial expressions, as she was seen constantly smirking and “was captured on camera dramatically rolling her eyes, furrowing her brow or squinting at her opponent while he spoke.” As several high-profile conservative accounts noted, Harris’s expressions appeared just as rehearsed as her lines – something which will be of no concern to analysts on CNN and MSNBC, but which smacks of inauthenticity to most viewers.
Moreover, Harris’s bizarre facial expressions betrayed a deep anxiety that will not sit well with voters. If this is how Harris reacts when her political opponent says something she doesn’t like, how can Americans trust her to keep her poise when she is staring across the table at Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping? Her entire aura was one of a teenager who believes making an incredulous face is a substitute for a counterargument.
As a result, no matter the substance of what Harris was saying, her physical demeanor throughout the debate came across as childish, immature, and ultimately unbecoming of the most powerful elected office in the world.
Making matters worse for the vice president, the way she responded to Trump and to the moderators’ questions was likely also a big turn-off for voters.
Along with conjuring up obviously manufactured emotion on issues Democrats love to fearmonger on like abortion and healthcare, Harris often became downright blabby, spending minutes lecturing Trump on how supposedly terrible and horrible he is. At several points during the debate, like a bitter ex-girlfriend who never forgets anything, Harris veered far off course from the issues at hand in this election to revive tired (and disproven) left-wing attack lines on Trump’s business record from decades ago. Her scolding at times teetered on the brink of being downright creepy as she obsessed over imagined injustices perpetrated by the former president.
Trump, meanwhile, presented precisely the opposite image. The Trump who came through the camera on Tuesday night was a serious, strong, determined leader ready to finish the work that he started eight years ago.
While Harris attempted to steer the conversation away from the border and the economy – consistently the top two most important issues to voters – Trump hammered inflation and illegal immigration over and over. When Harris claimed she had a “plan” for the various problems facing the country, Trump smartly pointed out that she has been in office for three and a half years and hasn’t done anything. Every time Harris lied about Trump’s record, the former president responded with an assertiveness that gives voters confidence in his ability to guide the country out of the ditch that Biden and Harris have driven it into.
As Trump took control of the debate, the ABC moderators stepped in to put their thumb on the scale for Harris, following up virtually all of Trump’s statements with bogus “fact checks” while allowing Harris to lie with impunity. But even this may have backfired on the Harris campaign. Trump proved himself capable of taking on both Harris and the moderators, while Harris looked weak by comparison.
In the end, Harris may have proven to be precisely what Democrat strategist James Carville warned about back in March – “too many preachy females dominating the culture of the Democratic Party.” Americans want a leader, not a lecturer-in-chief. On that front, Trump came out clearly ahead.
B.C. Brutus is the pen name of a writer with previous experience in the legislative and executive branches.
Tremendous inspiration from this debate about not getting angry to me that was trump big issue his arrogance distracted him from any meaningful discussion